Queen Victoria’s diary, 1869

We got up at half-past seven, breakfasted at eight, and at half-past eight left Balmoral with Louise, Beatrice, and Jane Churchill (Brown as always, unless I…

A very fine, bright, warm morning. We de- cided to go on an expedition, but not to Loch Lomond, as we should have to start so early. Breakfasted in the drawing-room…

Up by half-past seven, and breakfasting at a quarter to eight. Got on my pony Sultan at nine, the others walking, and went through the wood to the loch's edge,…

A dull muggy morning. Decided not to go to kirk, as it would have been very public. So at eleven rode (on Sultan) with dear Beatrice (on her little Beatrice) for an…

Misty early, then beautiful and clear and very hot. Got up with a bad headache. At five minutes to eleven rode off with Beatrice, good Sharp going with us and…

Received a letter from Colonel Elphinstone, dated 22nd from Halifax, with excellent accounts of dear Arthur. The passage had been a very good one ; he had mixed…

A very bad night from a violent attack of neuralgia in my leg. I only got up after nine, and could hardly walk or stand, but was otherwise not ill. I took a little,…

I had a really very fair night, and on getting up found I could walk much better, for which I was most thankful. I went down to breakfast as usual. Received again…

Raining early, which made me feel I had done right in giving up going by the Spital, as I had intended up to yesterday afternoon. Felt, how- ever, better, and could…

At twelve, went with our children to the kirk. Dr. Macleod preached a fine sermon, and gave us two beautiful prayers as usual. The text was from Matthew xxvi. 30. I…