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 I
was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me that the Archbishop of
Canterbury and Lord Conyngham were here, and wished to see me. I got
out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing-gown),
and alone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham (the Lord Chamberlain)
then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and
had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently that
I am Queen. Lord Conyngham knelt down and kissed my hand, at
the same time delivering to me the official announcement of the poor
King's demise. The Archbishop then told me that the Queen was desirous
that he should come and tell me the details of the last moments of
my poor, good Uncle; he said that he had directed his mind to religion,
and had died in a perfectly happy, quiet state of mind, and was quite
prepared for his death. He added that the King's sufferings at the
last were not very great but that there was a good deal of uneasiness.
Lord Conyngham, whom I charged to express my feelings of condolence
and sorrow to the poor Queen, returned directly to Windsor. I then
went to my room and dressed.
Since it has
pleased Providence to place me in this station, I shall do my utmost
to fulfil my duty towards my country; I am very young and perhaps
in many, though not in all things, inexperienced, but I am sure,
that very few have more real good will and more real desire to do
what is fit and right than I have ...
At 9 came Lord
Melbourne, whom I saw in my room, and of COURSE quite ALONE
as I shall always do all my Ministers. He kissed my hand
and I then acquainted him that it had long been my intention to
retain him and the rest of the present Ministry at the head of affairs,
and that it could not be in better hands than his ... He then read
to me the Declaration which I was to read to the Council, which
he wrote himself and which is a very fine one. I then talked with
him some little longer time after which he left me ... I like him
very much and feel confidence in him. He is a very straightforward,
honest, clever and good man. I then wrote a letter to the Queen
...
At about half
past 11 I went downstairs and held a Council in the red saloon.
I went in of course quite alone, and remained seated the whole time.
My two Uncles, the Dukes of Cumberland (who now succeeded William
IV as King of Hanover) and Sussex, and Lord Melbourne conducted
me. The declaration, the various forms, the swearing in of the Privy
Councillors of which there were a great number present, and the
reception of some of the Lords of Council, previous to the Council
in an adjacent room (likewise alone) I subjoin here. I was not at
all nervous and had the satisfaction of hearing that people were
satisfied with what I had done and how I had done it.
Receiving after
this, Audiences of Lord Melbourne, Lord John Russell, Lord Albemarle
(Master of the Horse), and the Archbishop of Canterbury, all in
my room and alone. Saw Stockmar (friend and counsellor to Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert). Saw Clark, whom I named my Physician
... Saw Ernest Hohenlohe who brought me a kind and very feeling
letter from the poor Queen. I feel very much for her, and really
feel that the poor good King was always so kind personally to me,
that I should be ungrateful were I not to recollect it and feel
grieved at his death. The poor Queen is wonderfully composed now,
I hear.
Wrote my journal.
Took my dinner upstairs alone. Went downstairs. Saw Stockmar. At
about 20 minutes to 9 came Lord Melbourne and remained till near
10. I had a very important and very comfortable conversation
with him ... Went down and said good-night to Mamma etc.
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