Queen Victoria and Osborne

In the 19th century, Queen Victoria brought her court and wealthy Victorians to the Isle of Wight. Her holiday home at Osborne was at the centre of the Victorians’ love affair with the Island. The Queen’s annual holidays transformed this quiet island into the much-visited destination it is today.

From her early childhood, Queen Victoria liked holidaying on the Island, later saying: “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot”. Osborne was built to her husband, Prince Albert’s, specifications between 1845 and 1851, introducing the Italianate style to the Isle of Wight. This architecture is echoed throughout the Island.

It can particularly be seen in the gateway town of Ryde, with its skyline showing Victorian towers when viewed from the incoming ferry.

The Durbar Room at Osborne

In 1876 Queen Victoria became Empress of India, following which the ‘main wing’ was added to Osborne. Designed by the father of Rudyard Kipling, the wing includes the world-famous Durbar Room, built for state banquets with Indian delegates. In the corridor leading to the heavily decorated room are portraits of Indian representatives. These include a painting of the last Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, about whom Queen Victoria said: “Those eyes and those teeth are too beautiful.”

Victoria & Abdul

Alongside the Maharaja is a portrait of Abdul Karim, who would become the Queen’s personal secretary. This extraordinary friendship is the basis of a major motion picture called Victoria & Abdul, starring Dame Judi Dench as the Queen and Ali Fazal as Abdul Karim.

Much of the filming took place on location in the Durbar Room and the beautiful grounds of Osborne. Victoria & Abdul follows the story of when Abdul Karim, a young clerk, travels from India to participate in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and is surprised to find favour with the Queen herself.

As the friendship deepens, the Queen beings to see a changing world through new eyes and joyfully reclaims her humanity.

Walk in Royal footsteps

A visit to Osborne in East Cowes brings Queen Victoria back to life in ways not found anywhere else. The Isle of Wight was the Queen’s private refuge, the place she came to more often after the death of her beloved husband, and a place where she found respite from the pressures of her position.