Lord Nelson was 'queer', a prestigious gallery has suggested.
The British naval hero was fatally shot during the Battle of Trafalgar, in which the Royal Navy triumphed over the combined forces of France and Spain in 1805.
His final moments aboard HMS Victory are depicted in two paintings at the taxpayer-funded Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.
It is generally believed that Nelson's last words on his deathbed after being shot were 'kiss me Hardy', which he uttered to his flag captain Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy.
According to the contested account, Hardy then kissed Nelson on his hands and forehead.
