5. The Affair of Queen Victoria’s Servant (Brown Affair)
Following the death of her husband, Prince Albert, in 1861, Queen Victoria formed a close relationship with her Scottish servant, John Brown. Their companionship led to public speculation and court gossip, with some suggesting a romantic involvement. Contemporary accounts describe their interactions as remarkably intimate, with Victoria’s physician recording flirtatious exchanges involving skirt-lifting, while the monarch herself wrote of regarding Brown with ‘an everlasting love’. (britbrief.co.uk) Despite the rumors, no definitive evidence of a romantic relationship has been found. For more detailed information, you can refer to Historic UK’s coverage on Queen Victoria and John Brown. (history.co.uk)
