When it comes to cringe-worthy social awkwardness, Queen Victoria of England takes the number one spot. She was notoriously unsociable after her husband's death and treated her children terribly, but the most awkward incident occurred during her younger years. Recently crowned and eager to make an impression, the young Queen Victoria bonded with her courtiers by engaging in gossip, like all the other high-status women of her time. When she and some others noticed that her mother's lady-in-waiting, Flora Hastings, had swollen considerably at the stomach, they naturally assumed that she had fallen pregnant. Victoria gleefully spread the rumour that Flora was due to have a baby out of wedlock, thereby ruining her reputation. It later transpired that poor Flora actually had a deadly abdominal tumour. Ouch. It took a long time for Victoria to regain her reputation after this painfully awkward incident. Can you think of any more? Let us know in the comments section below.
