Queen Victoria forced Lady Flora Hastings to undergo a medical examination due to a suspicion of pregnancy. This incident escalated into a significant public scandal known as the Hastings affair, which occurred in the early years of Victoria's reign.
The Incident: Forced Examination and Suspected Pregnancy
In 1839, Lady Flora Hastings, who served as a maid of honour and was connected to the Tory political faction, became the subject of widespread rumors regarding a suspected pregnancy. This suspicion arose from an abdominal swelling, which was later understood to be caused by a liver disease from which she suffered, not pregnancy. Driven by these rumors, Queen Victoria insisted that Lady Flora submit to a medical examination to verify her condition. Lady Flora was compelled to comply with the Queen's demand.
The Aftermath: Disproved Suspicions and Public Scandal
The medical examination definitively proved that Lady Flora Hastings was not pregnant, confirming that Queen Victoria's suspicions had been mistaken. The revelation of the Queen's error, coupled with the forced nature of the examination, led to considerable and damaging public gossip. This "Hastings affair" not only caused significant embarrassment for the young Queen but also underscored the political tensions within the royal court, given Lady Flora's affiliations with the Tories, a group often at odds with Victoria's Whig-leaning household. The incident profoundly impacted Lady Flora and became a notable scandal that marked the initial period of Queen Victoria's monarchy.
For more detailed information on Lady Flora Hastings and the historical context of the Hastings affair, explore resources like Britannica's biography of Lady Flora Hastings.
