“Woke very often during the night, thinking of the sacred work to carried out at 7 o’clock. At that hour the precious earthy Remains were to be carried with all love & peace to their final resting place by our 3 sons, (for little Leopold had earnestly begged to go too). Dear Louis, Sir C. Phipps, Col: Biddulph, Gen: Grey as well as Löhlein & Maget (dear Albert’s 2 valets) were there too. I cannot say more. I got some sleep during that time & later, Alice came to tell me all had been peacefully & lovingly accomplished — Dull, rainy, & mild. — Took ½ an hour’s drive with Alice & at ¼ to 1, we all drove down as yesterday to Frogmore, taking Baby with us. Waited a little while in the house & then walked to the Mausoleum, entering it, preceded only by the Dean. It seemed so like the day at Frogmore, when Albert was so dear & loving. Everyone entered, each carrying a wreath. The Dean, with a faltering voice, read some most appropriate Prayers. We were all much overcome we knelt round the beloved tomb. When everybody had gone out, we returned again & gazed on the great beauty & peace of the beautiful statue. What a comfort it will be to have that near me! — Lunched as yesterday. Afterwards saw the dear kind Dss of Atholl, who brought me a handsome Bible, which has been given me & subscribed for by “many Widows”. The very poorest have joined, 80 of the Hartley Colliery Widows, amongst them. — Drove with Css Blücher, & on coming home, saw the good Dean, who has felt all so much. — Alice dined with me, & we saw Dr Stanley afterwards for a short while. —“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
© Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest