The final journals of Queen Victoria – part 8, 6th January 1901:

“An improved night, though I wake often. Lenchen came & read letters to me after I got up. – The accounts of dear Vicky are not at all satisfactory, which make me so sad. – It blew so hard & was so cold, that I did not go out in the morning. – At 3 drove in a closed carriage with Lenchen & Beatrice. – At 5 had a short service in the Drawingroom, like the other day. The ladies & some of the gentlemen & servant were present. We had 3 Hymns, one very pretty one the Vesper Hymn. Only the Choir Boys sang & Beatrice accompanied on the Harmonium. Mr Clement Smith officiated. – Had my supper of Benger’s food, which is very soothing & nourishing, after which Ismay S. came & read to me, & then Lenchen & Beatrice sat with me for a while. – Saw Sir Francis Laking, who is here to relieve Sir James Reid a little.”

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