1. Dear diary, 1951
Today is the day that I will be crowned queen. I’m so nervous, what if I mess something up? What if I
trip over my own feet because I’m so nervous? I don’t know if I can do this... But I have to, for my father,
and my country. I need to get myself together and stop acting like I am. I need to be strong. I still
remember when my father died. It felt like a giant cloud was hung over everyone’s head, and it stayed
like that for many months. Philip and I were in Kenya at the time. When we heard the news, we rushed
back to London. When we got there, everyone was so upset and that made my heart break even more.
All the grief was too much to bear… but I had to stay strong, for my people. But this was all a year ago.
Today I will be their true leader, and I will have new responsibilities. I’m 25, I can do this, I believe in
myself.