Queen Victoria and Her Tragic Family

A look at how Queen Victoria, devastated by the loss of her husband, the father of her nine children, descended into mourning, refused to appear in public, and instead started micromanaging her children - even spying on them.

In the 1860s, Victoria struggled with her responsibilities as a monarch and a mother, and locked herself away from public gaze at Osbourne House, Windsor Castle and Balmoral. She also devoted less time to her children and more to John Brown, a servant from Balmoral who started out working in the stables to become her private secretary.

In the 1870s, Victoria continued to dominate her children even as they continued to rebel. She tried to stop Leopold from pursuing an education, while rumours of Louise's affairs swirled and Beatrice married against her mother's will. But it was the Queen's relationship with Indian servant Abdul Karim that brought joy in her final years.