“Darling little Drino’s 1rst birthday. May God bless & protect the precious little child, such an engaging clever child. — Very bright, 9 digress of frost, freezing all day. — After breakfast, Beatrice & Lily, went down to the Drawingroom, & arranged the flowers, come from Windsor, for the Christening Large palms & other green plants had been stood in the window, & the font, also sent from Windsor was surrounded by white flowers. The ceremony was at 1, & was performed by Dr Lees. We sat on either side of the font, I, with those who represented the sponsors, viz: the Dss of Roxburghe for Vicky, J. Ely for Pss Battenberg, Ly Erroll for Lenchen, Ld Hopetoun for Louis, Sir H. Ponsonby for Affie, & Lily represented the Empress Eugénie. All the ladies & gentlemen, the Officers of the Seaforth Highlanders from Ballater, the servants, & the principal tenants & keepers with their wives, were present, which made the room very full. The service commenced with a hymn, sung to dear Albert’s Chorale, during the singing of which, the Baby was brought in by Mary Biddulph, who handed her to me. The sweet Baby looked beautiful in the old Christening Robe, in which all our children & so many grandchildren, including little Drino, have been christened. She received the names of Victoria, Eugénie, Julia, Eva, & was very good. The service was very simple & well performed, & everything went off admirably. Two more Hymns were sung, the last, just before the Benediction. The Aberdeen Madrigal Choir sang, accompanied by the Harmonium. — We lunched all together, with the Household, & invited guests. — A very sad thing happened. Good Mrs Grant, who had come up for the Christening was suddenly taken ill, before the ceremony began, & had to be taken to the Housekeeper’s room. Dr Reid went at once to her, & found that she was paralysed all down one side, & her speech thick, but she was quite conscious. Too grievous & distressing that this should happen on this day. She has, since, been taken home & the doctor hoped she would do well. — In the afternoon drove with Beatrice & the Dss of Roxburghe by the 2 bridges. It was very slippery & frosty on the north side, but so bright & light. A brilliant red sky, with all the high hills covered with snow, which looked quite blue, & a bright moon rising, which was reflected in the river. It was quite beautiful. — Saw Dr Lees. — He, the 4 Ladies, Ld Hopetoun, Sir H. Ponsonby, & Sir F. Edward dined. — Heard Mrs Grant was no worse, but of course in an anxious state. —”
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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