Ĭostumes from the production were on display at Osborne House, from 24 July until 30 September 2017. Principal photography on the film began on 15 September 2016, at Victoria's former royal residence Osborne House on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. The script was written by Lee Hall, and the producers are Beeban Kidron, Tracey Seaward, Tim Bevan, and Eric Fellner, while the other cast includes Eddie Izzard, Michael Gambon, Tim Pigott-Smith, and Adeel Akhtar. distribution rights, while Universal Pictures International handles all other countries. On 5 August 2016, it was announced that Ali Fazal would play Victoria's confidant Abdul Karim, while the film would be co-produced by Working Title Films and BBC Films, and co-financed by BBC and Focus Features. Dench had also portrayed Victoria in the 1997 film Mrs Brown, to which this film has been described as an unofficial sequel. On 17 June 2016, it was reported that Judi Dench would play Queen Victoria in Victoria & Abdul, a film based on the book of the same name by Shrabani Basu. Jonathan Harden as Wilhelm II, German Emperor.Penny Ryder as Sophie of the Netherlands.Amani Zardoe as Princess Helena of the United Kingdom.
She will instead include him in her next honours list as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. When no-one does, she says she has decided against making Abdul a knight. When Victoria is told, she angrily summons the entire household and demands that anyone who wants to resign step forward. If not, they all will resign and certify Victoria as insane. She announces her intention to give Abdul a knighthood.Įventually, the household decides that Victoria must break with Abdul. He expects the queen will dismiss Abdul in disgust, but Victoria remains loyal to him and admonishes her courtiers for plotting against him. When Victoria insists that her doctor examine Abdul to learn why his wife has not become pregnant, he discovers that Abdul has gonorrhea. They research his family background in India and present Victoria with a dossier showing that his family is more ordinary and poor than Abdul claimed. The prime minister is adamant that the royal household must be rid of Abdul. She decides he must return to India, but soon changes her mind and asks him to stay. When Victoria embarrasses herself by recounting Abdul's one-sided account of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 to the court, Victoria's faith and trust in him are shaken.
The household plots to undermine their relationship, hoping that Abdul will be sent home. While Victoria treats Abdul as a son, his preferment is resented by her household and inner circle, including her son, Bertie, and the prime minister. It is elaborately and intricately decorated, with a carpet from Agra, formal portraits of renowned Indians, a replica of the Peacock Throne and carvings by Bhai Ram Singh. His wife and his mother-in-law both wear black burqas, much to the consternation of the household-and the fascination of Victoria.Īs Victoria's interest in India grows, she has the Durbar Room built at her Isle of Wight home of Osborne House for state functions. When Victoria discovers he is married, she has him bring his wife to England. She promotes him to be her Munshi and asks him to teach her Urdu and the Quran. She spends time with him alone and gives him a bejeweled locket with her photograph. The queen, lonely and tired of her fawning courtiers, develops an interest in and then a friendship with Abdul. Abdul is from a Muslim, Urdu-speaking family in India.
Abdul Karim, a young prison clerk from British India, is instructed to travel to Britain for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 to present her with a mohur, a gold coin that has been minted as a token of appreciation from British-ruled India.