| December 8 |  |
Editor says, what if Victoria had started her scandalous affair while Albert was still alive? Please note that the opinions expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the author(s). This story was published in the January 2013 edition of Changing the Times Magazine.
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In 1826, on this day Queen Victoria's lover and second husband John Brown was born in Crathie, Aberdeenshire.
This article is part of the Happy Endings thread.
Happy Endings Part 18
Mrs Brown's Ghillie Lover by Ed & Jackie RoseHe went to work as an outdoor servant (in Scots ghillie or gillie) at Balmoral Castle, which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert leased in February 1848 and purchased outright in November 1851.
Because of the growing size of their young family, Prince Albert increasingly took-on monarchical responsibilities as the Queen lost her powers due to her pregnancies. A once passionate relationship was fundamentally wrecked by this domination, and Victoria frequently withdrew herself in fury whilst Albert was reduced to posting notes of apology under her locked door.
John Brown saw all of this, and what is more the Queen welcomed the distraction of his company. They began a passionate love affair that had to be conducted in utter secrecy. But almost inevitably, a discovery was made, beginning with a mysterious written note in John's hand-writing, containing an odd remark that something had been missing in this harsh world, but finally, it had been fulfilled [2].
Needless to say, the "Mrs Brown Scandal" rocked the country, forcing Queen Victoria to choose between asking Albert to divorce her (and remaining monarch), or eloping and living in obscurity as Mr & Mrs Brown. Either way, she would keep her Ghillie Lover so it was a happy ending for the lovers after all, if not for her cousin Albert who would return to his former status as a minor German Princeling. After her abdication, the crown went to her eldest son, Edward the Seventh..who soon rocked the country with so many scandals that his mother's were soon forgotten.
Entry posted by Todayinah Editor
© Alternate Historian, 2004-.Story Tags
Permalinks: Post, Day. Browse Thread: Happy Endings Source: Wikipedia Labels: John Brown, Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, England, Scotland. Editor says, thanks to Jackie Rose for her contributions to this post which was sparked by an article on the BBC Web Site.
[1] original statement by Robbie Taylor.
~ Good story but they woulkdn't let Albert tkae over the monarchial role - he did enough harm as it was putting the kibosh on British Intervention in the American Civil War.
The whole Albet-Victoria thing was to reform the monarchy as a bourgeouse institution with a crocadile of kids and a nanny pushing the pram, which was a media sensation in the late '40's/early '50's.
There is no way they establishment will let Victoria do anything but her duty.
~ But once she had abdicated and her son had replaced her, the establishment had nothing more to say to her.
~ They wouldn't let it get that far. It would not make the press.
~ But, Richard, in fact the scandal of "Mrs. Brown" did indeed make the press...or at least the court of public opinion.
~ Gives new meaning to the phrase "John Brown's body"...
~ The tabloid press would have been very happy. As would anti-British forces in colonies with more conservative bases, looking for reason to revolt.
~ The Quality Press of the day - there was no tabloid press yet - would be "nobbled" and editors be very "understanding", the were part of the Establishment.
There were problems at home - it was only just past 1848 and the Chartists and there were threats of revolt in South Wales. if it gets out there will be a Republican movement. The would be rumours if the Prince Consort was dead as in RL but not if he was alive.
Incidentally if he is divorced then British Intervention in the American C W goes ahead and Palmerston is wringing his hands in delight.
The Empire and control at home depended on a respectable monarchy.
~ Good point, Richard! Prince Albert's fall from grace could very well have changed the outcome of our Civil War.
~ A big shift of leadership in a crucial time of the British Empire's growth. Would it affect expansion into India and Africa?
~ Another intriguing question, Jeff...especially since she was revered in those countries, with their highly conservative morals.
~ oh there is the can't Marry a Commoner rule in this period.
~ But, Richard...would she not become a commoner herself if she abdicated? I know that George the Sixth made his older brother the Duke of Windsor after that famous abdication, but the duke might have become a mere commoner otherwise.
~ Under British rules she could not become a Commoner.
The Duke remained a Prince of the Royal House whatever title he was given.
The country needed her a symbol both at home and for Imperial purposes.
it would also have made us the laughing-stock of Europe at a time when Palmerston and the policy-makers were anxious to obtain maximum influence.
~ Under British rules she could not become a Commoner.
The Duke remained a Prince of the Royal House whatever title he was given.
The country needed her a symbol both at home and for Imperial purposes.
it would also have made us the laughing-stock of Europe at a time when Palmerston and the policy-makers were anxious to obtain maximum influence.
~ Richard, I never knew that! We certainly do learn a lot here.
© Today in Alternate History, 2013-. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
