Does Queen Elizabeth II Keep a Diary?

Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most enigmatic public figures the world has ever had. She has been in the public eye for almost her entire life, so there are few things we don’t know about her.

We do know that Queen Elizabeth II keeps a diary that only Prince Phillip is allowed to see. The diary is so private the palace has to destroy the blotting paper used so that no one can look through their garbage and see her entries.

However, the diaries are so important and private that it is unlikely most people will see them.

She’s Been Keeping A Diary Since She Was 15 Years Old

The Queen has been keeping diaries since she was 15 years old, long before she ever knew she would be Queen or even that her father would be King. However, as she was still a member of the Royal Family, they were guarded closely. 

Each journal is marked with her insignia and a Roman numeral to keep them in proper order. These journals likely contain some first-hand looks at some of the most turbulent times of the Monarchy and her life. 

The Queen was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II,  acceded the Crown while abroad, became Queen at age 25, and has been the longest reigning Queen of all time.

It was her father who encouraged her to keep diaries – he did the same before and during his reign. When the Queen has important guests to the palace, she will show off her father’s journal but only the outside of it, never the inside pages.

Only Her Husband Can See The Diaries

The Queen is so secretive about her diary that there are only two keys to it. She carries the primary key and there is one emergency key kept by her personal secretary. 

The only person who is allowed to read the entries is her husband, Prince Phillip. It is unknown whether he regularly reads them or only has the opportunity to do so.

Queen Elizabeth’s husband, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, has been married to the Queen for over 70 years. He has retired from public life but is still seen at some events.

She Keeps The Diary Close By

According to the reports, Queen Elizabeth writes about her personal life in the diary. She chronicles news about the family, world events, and her personal feelings on the world. 

The small, black book goes with her wherever she goes. When she travels, it gets put into the same cases that the government papers are locked into so that, if it does get lost, no one will be able to read it. 

She writes in the diary every night, though the length of the entries hasn’t been reported. The Queen asks to be left alone when she is writing and to only be disturbed if there is something life-altering to report to her.

There Is Very Little Hope They Will Be Published

The Royal Family, while a fixture in the tabloids, is notoriously private. It is very unlikely that Queen Elizabeth or anyone in the Royal Family will ever publish the diaries. 

The Queen even confirmed it to Monty Python actor Sir Michael Palin, who asked her about the journals. 

She said that while his were likely to be published, hers never would be.

In that same conversation, she said that she only writes for about 15 minutes each night before she is ready to fall asleep. Even so, she will only write the diaries sitting at her desk, never in her bed.

Other Royals Have Released Diaries

Of course, other members of the royal families, including previous Monarchs and Kings have kept dairies of their days. 

The journals of George V and Queen Elizabeth’s great great grandmother Queen Victoria, which were edited by her daughter Princess Beatrice over a 30 year period – are now kept at Windsor Castle library.

The Queen’s Diaries likely contain answers to so many of the questions that the public has about her reign, including questions about Princess Diana and Harry and Meghan. 

Even so, it is unlikely that anyone will ever see the diaries in their complete forms. As she is one of the most consequential leaders of all time, the diary entries may be released piecemeal, but they will be heavily edited.

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