Queen Victoria’s journal: Her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, 22nd June 1897

Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee, 1897. © The National Archives

“A never to be forgotten day. No one ever I believe, has met with such an ovation as was given to me, passing through those 6 miles of streets, Including Constitution Hill. The crowds were quite indescribable & their enthusiasm truly marvellous & deeply touching. The cheering was quite deafening, & every face seemed to be filled with real Joy. I was much moved & gratified. – The night had been very hot & I was rather restless. There was such a noise going on the whole time, but it did not keep me from getting some sleep. Dull early, & close. – Breakfasted with Vicky, Lenchen & Beatrice in the Chinese luncheon room. The head of the Procession, including the Colonial Troops, had unfortunately already passed the Palace, before I got to breakfast, but there were still a great many, chiefly British, passing. I watched them for a little while. —

At 1/4 p. 11, the others having been seated in their carriages long before, & having preceded me a short distance, I started from the State Entrance in an open state landau, drawn by 8 creams, dear Alix, looking very pretty in lilac, & Lenchen, sitting opposite me. I felt a good deal agitated, & had been so able these days, for fear anything might be forgotten or go wrong. Bertie & George C. rode one on each side of the carriage, Arthur (who had charge of the whole military arrangements) a little in the rear. My escort was formed from the 2nd Life Guards & Officers of the nation Indian Regiments, these latter riding immediately in front of my carriage. Guards of Honour of Blue Jackets, the Guards, & the 2nd West Surrey Regt (Queens) were mounted in the Quadrangle & outside the Palace. Before leaving I touched an electric button, by which I started a message which was telegraphed throughout the whole Empire, it was the following: “From my heart I thank my beloved people, may God bless them”. At this time the sun burst out. Vicky was in the carriage nearest to me, not being able to go in mine, as her rank as Empress prevented her sitting with her back to the horses, for I had to sit alone. Her carriage was drawn by 4 blacks, richly caparisoned in red, We went up Constitution Hill & Piccadilly & there were seats right along the former, where my own servants & personal attendants, & members of the other Royal Households, the Chelsea Pensioners & the children of the Duke of York’s & Greenwich schools had seats. St. James’s Street was beautifully decorated with festoons of flowers across the road, & many loyal inscriptions. Trafalgar Square was very striking & outside the National Gallery stands were erected for the House of Lords. The denseness of the crowds was immense, but the order maintained wonderful. The streets in the Strand are now quite wide, but one misses Temple Bar. Here, the Ld Mayor received me & presented the sword, which I touched. He then immediately mounted his horse, in his robes & galloped past bare headed carrying the sword, preceding my carriage accompanied by his Sheriffs. As we neared St. Paul’s the Procession was often stopped, & the crowds broke out into singing “God save the Queen”. In one house were assembled the survivors of the Charge of Balaclava. In front of the Cathedral, the scene was most impressive. All the Colonial troops, on foot, were drawn up round the Square. My carriage, surrounded by all the Royal Princes was drawn up close to the steps, where the Clergy were assembled, the Bishops, in rich copes, with their croziers, the Arch Bishop of Canterbury & the Bishop of London, each holding a very fine one. A Te Deum was sung, specially composed by Dr Martin, the Lord’s Prayer, most beautifully chanted, a special Jubilee prayer, & the benediction concluded the short service, preceded by the singing of the old 100th, in which everyone joined. “God Save the Queen” was also sung. I then spoke to the Arch Bishop & Bishop of London. As I drove off, the former gave out “3 cheers for the Queen.” I stopped in front of the Mansion House, where the Lady Mayoress presented me with a beautiful silver basket, full of orchids. Here, I took leave of the Ld Mayor. Both he & the Lady Mayoress were quite “émus”. We proceeded over London Bridge, where no spectators were allowed, only troops, & then along the Borough Road, where there is a very poor population, but just as enthusiastic & orderly as elsewhere. The decorations there were very pretty, consisting chiefly of festoons of flowers, on either side of the street. Crossed the river again over Westminster Bridge, past the Houses of Parliament, through Whitehall, Parliament Street, which has been much enlarged, through the Horse Guards & down the Mall. The heat during the last hour was very great, & poor Ld Howe, who was riding as Gold Stick, fainted, & had a bad fall, but was not seriously hurt. Got home at l/4 to 2. all the carriages that had preceded mine were drawn up in the courtyard, as I drove in. – Had a quiet luncheon with Vicky, Beatrice, & her 3 children. Troops continually passing by. – Then rested, & later had tea in the garden with Lenchen. – There was a large dinner in the Supper Room, the same as yesterday, of which I annex the list. Bertie, who sat at my table, gave out the health of the Empress Frederick & my distinguished guests. I walked into the Ball Room afterwards & sat down in front of the dais. Felt very tired, but tried to speak to most of the Princes & Princesses, the Suites also came in, but no one else. – I wore a black & silver dress with my Jubilee necklace & the beautiful brooch given me by my Household. In the morning I wore a dress of black silk, trimmed with panels of grey satin veiled with black net & steel embroiderles, & some black lace, my lovely diamond chain, given me by my younger children round my neck. My bonnet was trimmed with creamy white flowers & white aigrette & some black lace. – I left the Ball Room at 11. There were illuminations, which we did not see, but could hear a great deal of cheering & singing. – Gave souvenirs to my Children & grandchildren.”

Citation:

RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 22 June 1897 (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES) retrieved 22 June 2025