Victoria & Abdul kneeling at a large statue of the Queen close to the Taj Mahal, talking to it and kissing its feet in respect. 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. Stephen Frears was set to direct. Dench had also portrayed Victoria in the 1997 film "Mrs Brown". 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
MS Queen Victoria the tradition of Cunard "Queens" being named by royalty. The bottle of champagne did not break upon impact with "Queen Victoria's" hull, which according to nautical superstition is a bad omen. However, a backup bottle was immediately successful. Captain Paul Wright was appointed as the first master of "Queen Victoria" in October 2006. Captain Christopher Rynd became secondary master. Captain Ian McNaught briefly commanded "Queen Victoria" before transferring to Seabourn. "Queen Victoria" undertook her maiden voyage, a 10-day cruise to northern Europe, on 11 December 2007. Following this and a cruise to the Canary Islands, "Queen Victoria" embarked on her