Victoria and Abdul: The Friendship that Scandalized England

[mellowyellow]

Near the end of her reign, Queen Victoria developed a friendship with an Indian servant, elevating him to trusted advisor and infuriating her court.

Karim was the queen’s beloved munshi, the teacher who gave her daily Urdu lessons, educated her on Indian affairs, and introduced her to curry. Queen Victoria in turn showered him with gifts, titles and honors, much to the resentment of the royal family. When the queen died in 1901, her children burned every letter she sent Karim, whom they unceremoniously deported back to India. Yet his record lives on, thanks in large part to his diary, preserved by generations of descendants……….

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/victoria-and-abdul-friendship-scandalized-england-180964959/

 

[jerry old]

The above does not speak well of the Royal Family.
In America, some love the Royals, others view them with a wary eye.
Then again, it's not our country.

 

[jujube]

Oh, I LOVED that movie!

 

[peramangkelder]

Huz and I thoroughly enjoyed 'Victoria and Abdul' so much so I bought the DVD

 

[Rosemarie]

It must be very lonely being a queen. There are so few people you can trust. Queen Victoria was not welcomed by everyone, being very German and having married a German prince. At least she found solace in the company of a few courtiers. I can understand the disapproval of her family though, and their actions after her death.

 

[Laurie]

It's fiction.

Her friendship with her ghillie was real.