Much as we may envision Queen Victoria as a dour widow, in private she had a reputation for being charming, fun-loving, and entertaining. From the age of 13, Victoria kept a daily journal, which by the time of her death ran to 122 volumes. These selections from her writings show Victoria at her most human, whether enthusing over her hobbies and interests, delighting in her children and grandchildren, commenting on the ten different Prime Ministers who served during her reign, or sharing her love for her husband Albert.