For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II wrote in her diary every night without fail. Regardless of how late it was or how tiring her day had been, she committed to this nightly task. A former royal household member said writing in her diary was an essential duty for her. Instead of focusing on emotions, it served as a factual record of events, reflecting her character.
Royal biographer Robert Hardman recently shared the content of her diary from two days before her death at Balmoral in September 2022. The last entry consisted of just five words: “Edward came to see me.” This brief note, written on September 6th, 2022, encapsulated her straightforward style. On that day, she had welcomed newly elected Prime Minister Liz Truss, marking the end of her final public appearance after many years of service. Her private secretary, Sir Edward Young, had visited to help arrange the swearing-in of Truss’s ministers.
Hardman noted that her final entry was practical and devoid of drama, consistent with her usual way of writing. Queen Elizabeth passed away on September 8th, 2022, at the age of 96. Although doctors had advised she might not live past Christmas 2021, she surprised many by living longer.
The Queen’s diaries were never intended to offer insight into her personal thoughts; she made that clear by stating that she had no time to jot down conversations, only events, as she told society diarist Kenneth Rose.
Each diary entry was carefully written in black ink with a classic fountain pen, housed in a leatherbound book marked with her royal cipher and numbered with Roman numerals. These diaries were meant as historical records rather than personal reflections. Writing in her diary was always her last task of the day, no matter her fatigue. A former staff member revealed she wrote at a desk rather than in bed and maintained this routine diligently.
King Charles, her successor, also keeps a journal, but his style differs from the Queen’s formal approach. He tends to write less structured notes compared to her precise entries. A senior courtier shared that he now reflects on his day with informal scribbles instead of comprehensive narratives.
Two days before her death at 96, Queen Elizabeth documented a simple meeting with her private secretary, highlighting her dedication to duty. It wasn’t a farewell or a reflection on her long life but rather a straightforward account of a routine event. What are your thoughts on her commitment to documenting her daily life?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Jonas Žvilius