From 2nd of August 1832, Queen Victoria began writing her famous journal at aged 13. Princess Victoria was given a diary by her mother, The Duchess of Kent to document their visit to Powis Castle. The journal was intended to document Princess Victoria's eductional visits around the country but it became a life long habit that she continued daily until just before her death almost 69 years later. 141 volumes of her diary survive, numbering 43,765 pages. She continued writing her journal until 10 days before her death.
The first words written in her journal were, "This book, Mama gave me, that I might write the journal of my journey to Wales in it.'
Her last journals were often dictated by one of her Daughters often Princess Beatrice; Victoria's eyesight was so bad towards the end of her death she couldn't see her diary clearly to write in it.
Over the coming weeks, I shall be sharing her final fifteen journal entries leading up to her death. These entries will date from 30th December 1900 to the last one on 13th January 1901.
Sunday 30th December 1901 -
“Did not have a good night, though I usually sleep a little at first. – Got up too late to go out in the morning, so only took a drive after 3 with Lenchen & Beatrice. – I managed to sign a few things, & Harriet P. read to me. – In the evening I saw the Bishop of Ripon, who was very kind. Afterwards dictated to Thora, & then I sway Southampton, who has kindly came read to me, & I feel asleep. – Arthur & Louischen came to me for a little while after dinner.”
http://www.queenvictoriasjournals.org/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 © Bodleian Libraries © ProQuest