Isle of Wight using Queen Victoria for latest tourism drive in £200,000 campaign

The Isle of Wight’s tourism body is about to launch a £200,000 tourism campaign promoting the island as the home of Queen Victoria.

The campaign by Visit Isle of Wight will be based on Victoria and Abdul – an upcoming biographical drama starring Judi Dench and Ali Fazal that tells the story of the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian servant Abdul Karim.

Starting on 15 August, the campaign will consist of digital, radio and social media advertising primarily targeting the south of Britain. In addition to this, more than 20,000 copies of a guide to “Victoria’s Island” will be published, highlighting a tourism trail of 12 locations on the island that Victoria had a connection to.

Red Funnel ferries, which transports visitors to and from the island between Southampton and East Cowes, will also install signage welcoming people to Victoria’s Island at the mainland terminal.

At Osborne House – the home of Queen Victoria and one of the island’s most-visited attractions – costumes worn by Dench, Fazal and Eddie Izzard in Victoria and Abdul have gone on display, with the exhibition running until 30 September.

The exhibition at Osborne opened on 24 July 24 and will run until September 30. Victoria and Abdul is set for release in cinemas in the UK on 15 September.

"Victoria and Abdul is the first film to ever use the interiors of Osborne as a location and these costumes add an extra layer to the rich experience of a visit here,” said Michael Hunter, curator of Osborne House.

"We can't wait to see it in all its glory on the big screen; in particular the story of how an Indian man servant won the Queen's respect and trust."