Queen Victoria’s journal, 30th November:
“Dear Alice’s engagement day, a year ago & St. Andrew’s day. — Dearest Albert slept badly & felt weak & poorly, but he came to breakfast. — Nemours took leave. – Very mild, but showery. — Rode out with Alice, &c but it rained more or less continuously, so that we did not go far. — Dear Albert felt chilly & uncomfortable, & he could eat but litte luncheon. — Walked out with Lenchen & Louise. – On coming home held a Council for the Prohibition of Exportation of Saltpetre. – Albert seemed better again & was able to eat some dinner. — The Wellesleys & M’ Cook, one of my Chaplains & Inspector of Schools, dined. He is very agreeable & sensible. -“
Queen Victoria’s journal, 1st December:
“Dear Albert had again on indifferent night & looked very wretched. Am quite concerned about him, still he was sufficiently well, on getting up to make a Draft for what I should write to L’ Russell, regarding his Draft to L’ Lyons sent to me yesterday, which Albert did not quite approve. — All excepting him, walked out, & it was very fine, though cold. He went with us to the Chapel, where M’ Cook preached, but I thought him looking very ill & not fit to go through all the kneeling, as he did. At luncheon, he could take nothing. Sir J. Clark & D’ Jenner came over, & were much disappointed at finding Albert so very uncomfortable. They hoped however he would soon be better though it might take a little time. — Walked out with Alice, Ernest & Marie. Went to my beloved Albert afterwards, who has rested a good deal, & he came to my room & was able to take a little tea. He came to our family dinner, listening to Alice & Maria playing on the piano, & wet nearly to bed. When I joined him he said he was shivering with cold, & could not sleep at all. -“
© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012
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