(Incidentally, I'm sure you'll be glad to know that the story about Catherine *ahem* indulging in relations with her horse is complete fiction, dreamed up by her political opponents to discredit her. In that, it's similar to Marie Antoinette and "Let them eat cakes".
Many powerful women in history - and not a few powerful men! - have fallen victim to the same thing. You don't like XYZ? Start a smear campaign!) ;-P