Did Queen Victoria really marry her servant – or were the rumours about ‘Mrs Brown’ misguided? On the anniversary of John Brown’s death, the truth behind the intimate friendship between the monarch and her ghillie

In 1861, the tragic death of Albert from typhoid left the queen distraught. She spent most of her time at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, one of her preferred residences, leading her daughter, Princess Alice, to suggest that Brown travel down from Scotland with her pony.

The queen was vastly rejuvenated by Brown’s arrival, and the pair spent increasing amounts of time together, with many saying that…