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Victoria's Secret
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  • Published: 14 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9781529199338
  • Imprint: Ebury Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 432
  • RRP: $29.99
Categories:

Victoria's Secret

The Private Passion of a Queen

Formats & editions
Paperback
14 July 2026
Tr. Paperback
5 Aug 2025
EBook
31 July 2025
Audiobook
31 July 2025
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A stunning new story of Queen Victoria's secret love for her servant John Brown, by the acclaimed historian Fern Riddell.

'Weep with me for we all have lost the best, the truest heart that ever beat!'

From the moment John Brown arrived as a servant to Queen Victoria's household, he became known across the land as her loyal companion, her fierce protector, and her right-hand man, their friendship immortalised in print and on-screen. But what if there was more to their relationship than we know? And what has history been hiding from us?

In this passionate and provocative exploration of Victoria's private passions, the acclaimed historian Fern Riddell re-examines everything we thought we knew about one of Britain's most iconic women. A timeless romance and an extraordinary retelling of the emotional life of a queen, Victoria's Secret is an unmissable account of a woman in love.
  • Published: 14 July 2026
  • ISBN: 9781529199338
  • Imprint: Ebury Press
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 432
  • RRP: $29.99
Categories:

About the author

Fern Riddell

Dr. Fern Riddell is a renowned cultural historian. With a PhD from King's College London, she works as an expert author, broadcaster & consultant, uncovering incredible stories hidden by the past. Presenter of Sky History’s Truthseekers and BBC 4’s A Victorian Scandal, Fern also regularly contributes to documentaries across the world, exploring suffragette bombers to music hall stars, and the most fascinating stories she can find. An expert historian for both Audible and Spotify, Fern hosts Sky History’s Not What You Thought You Knew podcast. Advising on dramas for several international broadcasters, she is known for her work on BAFTA award-winning BBC and Amazon Prime drama Ripper Street. Author of highly acclaimed books including Death In Ten Minutes and Sex: Lessons from History, which was a Daily Mail ‘Book of the Week’. Fern writes widely for publications including the Guardian, Times Higher Education, the Telegraph, the New Statesman and BBC History Magazine.
FR

Praise for Victoria's Secret

Victoria’s Secret reveals an astonishing new side to a queen we thought we knew, and a beautiful and revitalising portrait of a woman in love. This meticulous unravelling of a 160-year-old mystery showcases Riddell at her bold and passionate best.

Emily Brand, author of The Fall of the House of Byron

A witty, compelling, irresistible read that unpretentiously reveals a great deal about the Victorian age.

Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland

Through her meticulous research and propulsive prose, Riddell reveals the women behind the crown in all her fascinating complexity. Riveting, bold, and deeply human, Victoria's Secret is an absolute joy.

Elinor Cleghorn, author of 'Unwell Women'

Fern Riddell's quietly brilliant book explores a part of Queen Victoria’s life that history chose to forget. It’s tender, surprising and might just change how we see her.

Robert Rinder, author of 'The Trial and the Suspect'

Fern Riddell has solved one of the greatest royal mysteries of all time. Now, at last, we know the truth about Queen Victoria and John Brown

Bendor Grosvenor, author of 'The Invention of British Art'
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