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However, the Queen is more fascinated with Abdul than anything else. She soon forms a bond with him, asking him to teach her Urdu and about Islam. Nevertheless, their relationship suddenly grows tense when she finds out Abdul is married. She then decided to have him go back and bring his wife to live in England along with Abdul, with him continuing to serve her in the royal household. Meanwhile, the other courtiers are increasingly bothered by the close relationship Abdul and Victoria form, including Edward, the future King of Great Britain, who is troubled by his mother's relationship with Abdul. Victoria, recognizing she is Empress of India, wants to learn more about India and decides to decorate part of her home in the Isle of Wight in an Indian style. She continues to make progress in understanding Urdu. Abdul now has the formal title of <i>Munshi</i> as Victoria's teacher.
Abdul and Victoria form a close relationship that is like mother and son, with Victoria preferring to spend more time with Abdul than her own son. However, the court begins to create trouble. First, they call out a lie that Abdul told Victoria about the Indian Mutiny, a prolonged Indians rebellion against British rule, where he downplayed rebellions by some of the Indian population. After learning about this lie, and because he embarrassed her as the Queen's courtiers corrected information she though she knew, Victoria decided to expel Abdul but then changes her mind at the last moment. They also learn that, despite Abdul's initial presentation, Abudl does not have royal or noble blood, thus he exalted his social status to Victoria. But again Victoria is not bothered by this. The Marquess of Salisbury, who is Prime Minister, also gets involved in trying to get rid of Abdul. The court officials and Prime Minister find out Abdul has gonorrhea, but again the Queen stays loyal to Abdul and is not put off by this.
With all this plotting, the Queen now decides to Knight Abdul, which the entire household of the Queen finds completely unacceptable. The staff threaten to resign unless Victoria rescinds her offer to Abdul. She then confronts her entire household about their rebellion, although none offer to resign when given the opportunity. The Queen informs her household though she will only make Abdul Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, a lower honour than being knighted, although most still do not like this choice. Soon after, the Queen becomes increasingly sick and becomes bedridden. She realizes that the court will turn against Abdul once she is gone. However, Abdul stays with the Queen until her end and in 1901 she passes.
