Queen Victoria and John Brown: The Controversial Bond Between Monarch and Servant
A Scottish Servant's Unusual Bond with Queen Victoria
John Brown, born on the 8th of December, 1826, in the quaint village of Crathie near Balmoral in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, began his journey with the royal family as a young man. His proximity to the royal estate, which Queen Victoria and Prince Albert acquired in the late 1840s, would eventually lead him to become the Queen's trusted servant and companion for the following three decades.
Brown started his career as an outdoor servant or "gillie" in the royal household. His birthplace and early life in the rural Highlands provided him with the perfect background for this role. Over time, Brown's brusque and plain-speaking manner, characterized by questions like "What's this you've got on today?" and "Hoots then, woman, can you not hold your head up?", became a refreshing change for Queen Victoria, who found his honesty and straightforwardness appealing.
John Brown's relationship with Queen Victoria was not without controversy and speculation. Despite the rumors of a relationship beyond that of employer and servant, the exact nature of their bond remains unclear. However, it is clear that Brown was conscientious, hardworking, and admired for his "transparent honesty and straightforward, independent character" by Prince Albert.
One of the most notable moments in Brown's service was in October 1863, when he rescued Queen Victoria and her ladies from an overturned carriage, preventing more severe injuries. Brown's heroism was evident again in 1872, when he saved Queen Victoria from an attempted assassination by quickly grabbing the attacker and holding him until the police arrived.
As the years passed, Brown suffered from erysipelas, possibly due to heavy drinking. Despite his health issues, he continued to fulfill his duties in the royal household, which included driving the carriage, leading Queen Victoria's pony on Highland expeditions, and brewing tea for picnics.
Queen Victoria's devotion to Brown was evident in her final wishes. Before her death, she asked her physician to secretly place her favorite photograph of Brown and a lock of his hair inside her coffin. This gesture underscores the deep bond that existed between the Queen and her loyal servant.
Despite the disapproval of Queen Victoria's family and others around her, Brown's privileged position in the royal household remained unchallenged. The Prince of Wales, in particular, was upset that Queen Victoria always accepted Brown's judgment. However, Brown's dedication and devotion to his Queen were undeniable, and he continued to serve her faithfully until his death in 1883 at Windsor Castle, after catching a severe chill and sinking into a coma.
[1] "John Brown (Highland servant)." Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Brown-Highland-servant. [3] "Queen Victoria's Highland Servant: The Life of John Brown." The National Trust for Scotland, https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/balmoral-castle/features/queen-victorias-highland-servant-the-life-of-john-brown.
In his leisure moments, John Brown might have tended to his personal interests, such as his home-and-garden, reflecting his humble origins in the Scottish Highlands.
Upon his death, Queen Victoria's enduring loyalty to John Brown was demonstrated by her unusual request to have a photograph of him and a lock of his hair placed in her coffin, signifying their lifestyle bond that transcended traditional servant-employer relationships.
