generate questions: At the start of her reign Victoria was popular, but her reputation suffered in an 1839 court intrigue when one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting, Lady Flora Hastings, developed an abdominal growth that was widely rumoured to be an out-of-wedlock pregnancy by Sir John Conroy. Victoria believed the rumours. She hated Conroy, and despised "that odious Lady Flora", because she had conspired with Conroy and the Duchess of Kent in the Kensington System. At first, Lady Flora refused to submit to a naked medical examination, until in mid-February she eventually agreed, and was found to be a virgin. Conroy, the Hastings family and the opposition Tories organised a press campaign implicating the Queen in the spreading of false rumours about Lady Flora. When Lady Flora died in July, the post-mortem revealed a large tumour on her liver that had distended her abdomen. At public appearances, Victoria was hissed and jeered as "Mrs. Melbourne".
What health issue did Flora hastings develope that began to ruin Victorias reputation? {sep_token} What was the job of lady Flora Hastings in Victorias household? {sep_token} What was Flora hastings abdominal growth rumored to be? {sep_token} Who was rumored to be the father of Flora Hastings "pregnancy"? {sep_token} What year did Victorias reputation begin to suffer? {sep_token} What lady in waiting was at the heart of a 1839 court scandal? {sep_token} What was the cause of Lady Flora's death in July? {sep_token} With whom did Lady Flora consipire against Queen Victoria? {sep_token} What was Queen Victoria called after Lady Flora's death due? {sep_token} Who, in Victoria's court, was accused of having a pregnancy outside of mariage? {sep_token} Who was believed to be the father of Lady Flor's "baby"? {sep_token} What did Victoria think of Lady Flora? {sep_token} Why did Victoria hate Sir Conroy and Lady Flora? {sep_token} What was actually the cause of Lady Flora's "pregnancy"?