The story of Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace

<!doctype html>     <html lang="en-GB" class="no-js ie9-or-better ie10-or-better">  <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/","20210503071931","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1620026371"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <meta charset="utf-8"/> <meta name="viewport" content="initial-scale=1, width=device-width, user-scalable=yes"/> <meta name="format-detection" content="telephone=no"/> <title>The story of Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace | Historic Royal Palaces</title> <meta name="title" content="The story of Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace | Historic Royal Palaces"/> <meta name="description" content="An elegant retreat for Britain's royal family"/> <meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/> <meta property="og:title" content="The story of Kensington Palace"/> <meta property="og:description" content="An elegant retreat for Britain's royal family"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Historic Royal Palaces"/> <meta property="og:type" content="website"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931im_/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FZIxd5P6S%2FV%2F15038%2F36?auto=format&s=38e517b7db157a5db2295757e1d5cdc8"/> <meta property="og:url" content="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/"/> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="57x57" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="60x60" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-60x60.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="72x72" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="76x76" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-76x76.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="114x114" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="120x120" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="144x144" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="152x152" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/android-icon-192x192.png" sizes="192x192"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/favicon-96x96.png" sizes="96x96"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="manifest" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/manifest.json"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/safari-pinned-tab.svg" color="#5bbad5"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/favicons/favicon.ico"> <link rel="canonical" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/"/> <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-title" content="Historic Royal Palaces"> <meta name="application-name" content="Historic Royal Palaces"> <meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#ffffff"> <meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="/hrpAssets/favicons/mstile-144x144.png"> <meta name="msapplication-config" content="/hrpAssets/favicons/browserconfig.xml"> <meta name="theme-color" content="#000000"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="screen" href="/web/20210503071931cs_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/bundles/critical.css?v=URIBBKOyzhikt8j5QYFB7IfnNtYH7e0hDo5KciWIHcw1"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="print" href="/web/20210503071931cs_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/bundles/print.css?v=3JMheOKB4EbPYi4dCIvbW3XqmBheW6yyVWpvfsy77U41" defer> <link href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931cs_/https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,600" rel="stylesheet" defer> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.gstatic.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.gstatic.com/"> <link rel="preload" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/fonts/farao/298811_1_0.woff" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/fonts/farao/298811_2_0.woff" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <link rel="preload" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/fonts/farao/298811_0_0.woff" as="font" type="font/woff" crossorigin> <script> var d = document.documentElement; d.className = d.className.replace('no-js', 'js'); </script>  <script> (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window, document, 'script', 'dataLayer', 'GTM-T57T7B'); </script>   <script type="text/javascript"> var _vwo_code=(function(){ var account_id=280319, settings_tolerance=2000, library_tolerance=2500, use_existing_jquery=false, /* DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE */ f=false,d=document;return{use_existing_jquery:function(){return use_existing_jquery;},library_tolerance:function(){return library_tolerance;},finish:function(){if(!f){f=true;var a=d.getElementById('_vis_opt_path_hides');if(a)a.parentNode.removeChild(a);}},finished:function(){return f;},load:function(a){var b=d.createElement('script');b.src=a;b.type='text/javascript';b.innerText;b.onerror=function(){_vwo_code.finish();};d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(b);},init:function(){settings_timer=setTimeout('_vwo_code.finish()',settings_tolerance);var a=d.createElement('style'),b='body{opacity:0 !important;filter:alpha(opacity=0) !important;background:none !important;}',h=d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0];a.setAttribute('id','_vis_opt_path_hides');a.setAttribute('type','text/css');if(a.styleSheet)a.styleSheet.cssText=b;else a.appendChild(d.createTextNode(b));h.appendChild(a);this.load('//web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/j.php?a='+account_id+'&u='+encodeURIComponent(d.URL)+'&r='+Math.random());return settings_timer;}};}());_vwo_settings_timer=_vwo_code.init(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var appInsights=window.appInsights||function(config){ function r(config){t[config]=function(){var i=arguments;t.queue.push(function(){t[config].apply(t,i)})}}var t={config:config},u=document,e=window,o="script",s=u.createElement(o),i,f;for(s.src=config.url||"//web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://az416426.vo.msecnd.net/scripts/a/ai.0.js",u.getElementsByTagName(o)[0].parentNode.appendChild(s),t.cookie=u.cookie,t.queue=[],i=["Event","Exception","Metric","PageView","Trace"];i.length;)r("track"+i.pop());return r("setAuthenticatedUserContext"),r("clearAuthenticatedUserContext"),config.disableExceptionTracking||(i="onerror",r("_"+i),f=e[i],e[i]=function(config,r,u,e,o){var s=f&&f(config,r,u,e,o);return s!==!0&&t["_"+i](config,r,u,e,o),s}),t }({ instrumentationKey:"bd1081dd-bd95-46f3-9d21-00b58643d155" }); window.appInsights=appInsights; appInsights.trackPageView(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931js_/https://ssl.google-analytics.com/ga.js" async></script> </head> <body>  <noscript> <iframe src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931if_/https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-T57T7B" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> </noscript>  <div class="notices"> <div class="cookie-notice"> <div class="cookie-notice__content wrapper"> <div class="cookie-notice__text"> <p>We use cookies on our site to provide you with a better experience and relevant advertising. To learn more or change your settings, please see our <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/privacy-policy/#cookies" title="Privacy policy">cookie policy</a></p> </div> <div class="cookie-notice__btns"> <button class="js-cookie-close btn btn--solid btn--keylined btn--white btn--small"><span class="btn__text">Accept cookies</span></button> <a class="btn btn--solid btn--keylined btn--small" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/privacy-policy/#cookies"><span class="btn__text">More information</span></a> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <nav class="mainnav mainnav--mobile t-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/" class="mainnav__logo"><img src="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/img/hrp-exceptional-use.svg" alt="Historic Royal Palaces"></a> <button class="mainnav__primarytrigger js-menutrigger"><span class="primarytrigger__txt">Menu</span><span class="hamburger" tabindex="0"></span></button> <div class="mainnav__primarytray js-menu"> <ul class="mainnav__primary nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/" class="nav-links__link js-show-sub has-content">Visit</a> <div class="nav-tabs__tab"> <a href="" class="back">Back</a> <h3 class="nav-tabs__tab__heading"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/" class="nav-tabs__tab__heading__link"><span>Visit</span></a> </h3> <ul class="nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/tickets-and-prices/" class="nav-links__link ">Tickets and prices</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/opening-and-closing-times/" class="nav-links__link ">Opening and closing times</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/getting-here/" class="nav-links__link ">Getting here</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/group-visits/" class="nav-links__link ">Group visits</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/eating/" class="nav-links__link ">Eating</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/shopping/" class="nav-links__link ">Shopping</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/facilities/" class="nav-links__link ">Facilities</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/accessibility/" class="nav-links__link ">Accessibility</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/faqs/" class="nav-links__link ">FAQs</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/" class="nav-links__link ">What's on</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/" class="nav-links__link js-show-sub has-content">History and stories</a> <div class="nav-tabs__tab"> <a href="" class="back">Back</a> <h3 class="nav-tabs__tab__heading"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/" class="nav-tabs__tab__heading__link"><span>History and stories</span></a> </h3> <ul class="nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/queen-victoria/" class="nav-links__link ">Queen Victoria</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/william-iii-and-mary-ii/" class="nav-links__link ">William III and Mary II</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/william-kent/" class="nav-links__link ">William Kent</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/" class="nav-links__link ">The story of Kensington Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-georgians/" class="nav-links__link ">The Georgians</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/a-history-of-royal-weddings/" class="nav-links__link ">A history of royal weddings</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/queen-anne/" class="nav-links__link ">Queen Anne</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/" class="nav-links__link js-show-sub has-content">Schools</a> <div class="nav-tabs__tab"> <a href="" class="back">Back</a> <h3 class="nav-tabs__tab__heading"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/" class="nav-tabs__tab__heading__link"><span>Schools</span></a> </h3> <ul class="nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/plan-a-school-visit/" class="nav-links__link ">Plan a school visit</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/school-sessions/" class="nav-links__link js-show-sub has-content">School sessions</a> <div class="nav-tabs__tab"> <a href="" class="back">Back</a> <h3 class="nav-tabs__tab__heading"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/school-sessions/" class="nav-tabs__tab__heading__link"><span>School sessions</span></a> </h3> <ul class="nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__links"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/school-sessions/primary-school-sessions/" class="nav-links__link">Primary school sessions</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="#" class="nav-links__link js-show-sub has-content">View all palaces</a> <div class="nav-tabs__tab"> <a href="#" class="back">Back</a> <ul class="nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--tow">Tower of London</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ham">Hampton Court Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ban">Banqueting House</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item active"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ken">Kensington Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kew-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--kew">Kew Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--hil">Hillsborough Castle</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="mainnav__utility nav-links nav-links--secondary bare-list js-secondary-nav-links"> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://ticketslive.hrp.org.uk/hrp/b2c/index.cfm/member.login" class="nav-links__link" title="Member login" target="_blank">Member login</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/membership/" class="nav-links__link" title="Membership" target="_top">Membership</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/hire-a-venue/" class="nav-links__link" title="Hire a Venue" target="_top">Hire a Venue</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/" class="nav-links__link" title="Shop" target="_blank">Shop</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/tickets-and-prices/" class="btn btn--solid"><span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Buy tickets</span></a> </li> </ul> </div> <button tabindex="0" class="mainnav__searchtrigger js-mobile-searchtrigger">Search</button> <form action="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/" class="mainnav__searchtray navsearch js-mobile-search" enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post"><input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="ya4qm538J1piH0cx2bLsYozf-yXdX18vuDuQno1l7z36TAQDk3k2wKaLWhmJE3fPSni_WJWDapSDWYW6f1JPksZtsk81"/> <label for="searchTopMobile" class="u-vhide">Search term</label> <input id="searchTopMobile" name="searchTerm" type="text" class="navsearch__field" maxlength="255"/> <input type="submit" class="navsearch__submit" value="Search"/> <input name="ufprt" type="hidden" value="1D975C154319BC8BE48817504AE5DF38093093FD790E4172F72E5658C72F79E0178512FD608869C36D1C42570278BB1D1EA6E737D37EECCD7F8085F707B9A5FAC44B3127CE59D4C669175892B4728B2DEA381C62FF290A0700150C16FB29D184ADFBF8ADC029CAA4F2127FA89ED7B672BBBD5B0D95D33D6D50BBCC21C39277BE24456A5A"/></form> <div class="translate"> <button class="translate__launcher">Translate</button> <div class="translate__menu"> <div id="google_translate_element_mobile"></div> </div> </div> <div class="mainnav__second-row"> <p> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/"> Kensington Palace </a> </p> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/tickets-and-prices/" class="btn btn--solid btn--small btn--white buy-tickets" target="_top"><span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Buy tickets</span></a> </div> </div> </nav>   <nav class="mainnav mainnav--desktop t-ken"> <div class="topnav__top-row"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="topnav__logo-wrap"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/" class="topnav__logo"><img src="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/img/hrp-exceptional-use.svg" alt="Historic Royal Palaces"></a> </div> <ul class="mainnav__utility nav-links nav-links--secondary bare-list js-secondary-nav-links"> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://ticketslive.hrp.org.uk/hrp/b2c/index.cfm/member.login" class="nav-links__link" title="Member login" target="_blank">Member login</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/membership/" class="nav-links__link" title="Membership" target="_top">Membership</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/hire-a-venue/" class="nav-links__link" title="Hire a Venue" target="_top">Hire a Venue</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/" class="nav-links__link" title="Shop" target="_blank">Shop</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item"> <div class="translate"> <button class="translate__launcher">Translate</button> <div class="translate__menu"> <div id="google_translate_element_desktop"></div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <button tabindex="0" class="mainnav__searchtrigger js-searchtrigger">Search</button> <form action="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/" class="mainnav__searchtray navsearch js-search" enctype="multipart/form-data" method="post"><input name="__RequestVerificationToken" type="hidden" value="6eJZnZnwoCh6hsYGxexKS8M_p-Pkq368c-ve474FK8cAupXQbf4z95SKoJ-UKB7i_GIqMfDico0QAlobpP9yckXH6WE1"/> <label for="searchTop" class="u-vhide">Search term</label> <input id="searchTop" name="searchTerm" type="text" class="navsearch__field" maxlength="255"> <input type="submit" class="navsearch__submit" value="Search"> <input name="ufprt" type="hidden" value="A422F3F3E33F5E43F4F2B09961B1DDA669E8D9FB8E6217A37CA01AA1B475AF35CF571FAC492EABB3D3D9BA12980DDD692AB4BE986FECC81ABD309F4545812483B1364DD796302BB1723ED4D08C23C58CA0F578B63A452344F85B3739413AB1620DFD9E8E2C70A7083A8D701D489C379DF15E81AA3E6B327D77720CC2B56AC8B683174EF2"/></form> </div> </div> <div class="mainnav__second-row"> <div class="wrapper"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/" class="mainnav__logo"><img src="/web/20210503071931im_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hrpAssets/img/hrp-logo.svg" alt="Kensington Palace"></a> <div class="mainnav__primarytray"> <ul class="mainnav__primary nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/" class="nav-links__link" title="Visit" target="_top">Visit</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/" class="nav-links__link" title="What's on" target="_top">What's on</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item active"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/" class="nav-links__link" title="History and stories" target="_top">History and stories</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/schools/" class="nav-links__link" title="Schools" target="_top">Schools</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__btn"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/visit/tickets-and-prices/" class="btn btn--solid btn--white btn--small"><span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Buy tickets</span></a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mainnav__third-row"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="mainnav__subnavtray "> <ul class="mainnav__subnav nav-links bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__item active"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/" class="nav-links__link">History and stories</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item is-current"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/the-story-of-kensington-palace/" class="nav-links__link">The story of Kensington Palace</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mainnav__btn-row"> <div class="wrapper"> <button class="mainnav__palacetrigger js-desktop-palacetrigger"><span>View all Palaces</span></button> </div> </div> <div class="mainnav__palace-row js-desktop-palaces"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="mainnav__palacetray "> <ul class="mainnav__palaces nav-links nav-links--secondary bare-list"> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--tow">Tower of London</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ham">Hampton Court Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/banqueting-house/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ban">Banqueting House</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item active"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--ken">Kensington Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kew-palace/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--kew">Kew Palace</a> </li> <li class="nav-links__item "> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hillsborough-castle/" class="nav-links__link mainnav__palace mainnav__palace--hil">Hillsborough Castle</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </nav>  <script type="text/javascript"> function googleTranslateElementInit() { if (window.innerWidth < 1022) { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.FloatPosition.TOP_LEFT, autoDisplay: false, gaTrack: true, gaId: 'UA-19346935-1'}, 'google_translate_element_mobile'); } else { new google.translate.TranslateElement({pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.FloatPosition.TOP_LEFT, autoDisplay: false, gaTrack: true, gaId: 'UA-19346935-1'}, 'google_translate_element_desktop'); } } </script><script type="text/javascript" src="//web.archive.org/web/20210503071931js_/https://translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://schema.org/", "@type": "Person", "givenName": "", "familyName": "", "additionalName": "", "jobTitle": "", "honorificPrefix": "", "honorificSuffix": "", "spouse": { "@type": "Person", "name": "" }, "sibling": { "@type": "Person", "name": "" }, "parent": { "@type": "Person", "name": "" }, "children": { "@type": "Person", "name": "" }, "birthDate": "", "birthPlace":{"@type": "Place", "name": ""}, "deathDate": "", "deathPlace":{"@type": "Place", "name": ""}, "image": "HRP.Models.Common.Image?.SourceUrl" } </script> <header class="masthead masthead t-ken bg-primary " style="background-image: url(https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931im_/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FiB0kiXmI%2FV%2F14992%2F27?auto=format&s=c0af0a7af13ff8bfdceb353069c3ddea)"> <div class="masthead__content"> <h1 class="masthead__title masthead__title--ken"> <span><span>The story of Kensington Palace</span></span> </h1> <div class="masthead-subtext masthead-subtext--desktop"> <p>An elegant retreat for Britain’s royal family for over three centuries</p> </div> </div> </header> <div class="masthead-subtext masthead-subtext--mobile"> <p>An elegant retreat for Britain’s royal family for over three centuries</p> </div> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <p>Kensington Palace was once a small and suburban villa, known as Nottingham House. New monarchs William III and Mary II chose this modest mansion in 1689 to be their country retreat. Over the years, Stuart and Georgian monarchs transformed the palace into a fashionable home for Britain’s young royal families.</p> <p>Queen Caroline shaped the palace and gardens, and Queen Victoria spent her childhood here. She left to live in Buckingham Palace in 1837. Kensington later became home for minor royals<strong>, </strong>including her daughter, the talented sculptor Princess Louise.</p> <p>More recently, the palace has been home to Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It is also the London home of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FZQjGm2Lm%2FV%2F15017%2F29?auto=format&s=b1a5dc7681885ea514a15a616eb79437" alt="Colourful print which depicts a view of Kensington Palace from the south east with people strolling through the gardens." class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-ken"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3> William and Mary</h3> <p>Newly-crowned monarchs William III and Mary II (1689-1702) were first based in Whitehall Palace, in the heart of London. However, the smoke and damp of the city, and long travelling time to their more rural home at Hampton Court spurred them to search for a new home with easy access to Parliament.</p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>Kensington, to the west of London, has always been an attractive royal retreat, as evoked in this image of the palace and grounds from the 1750s.</em><strong><em><br/></em></strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="image-block"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FZC30ijZA%2FV%2F3706%2F36?auto=format&s=c8bf74037f2aa292f88c3f83c3fc5562" alt="Engraving of Queen Mary II wearing crown and ceremonial robes" class="js-lazy"> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>Transforming Nottingham House</h2> <p>In 1689, the King and Queen commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to draw up plans, but the Queen herself, excited by the project, took charge of the project to transform this little house into a palace.<br/><br/>Enthusiastic Mary made regular visits to check on progress and to hurry the work along. While a huge workforce was labouring with the building, a team of designers were already preparing decorative schemes for the new rooms.</p> <p>However, Mary’s urging on the workmen had disastrous consequences. In November 1689 part of a newly-built wall collapsed. One man was killed and others badly injured. It happened minutes after the Queen had toured the site. A shaken Mary wrote to her husband of the incident:<em> ‘It shewed me the hand of God plainly in it, and I was truly humbled'.</em></p> <p>Despite the setback, the palace was soon finished, and the King and Queen moved in on Christmas Eve 1689.</p> <p><em>Image: Queen Mary II.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FtrbqbX3v%2FV%2F15442%2F29?auto=format&s=e73e6d86076ca3321bdf6a70f50f26b3" alt="The King's Drawing Room was the focal point of court life where, on public days, the king would meet members of the court, dressed in their finery." class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-ken"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>The party palace</h3> <p>William and Mary began an era of magnificent balls in a golden three-year period, beginning in 1691. They used their new ornate rooms, elegant staircases and impressive halls to great effect. Guests ate, drank, gambled and flirted until dawn.</p> <p>Once or twice a week the King and Queen held Drawing Rooms, where they mingled with distinguished visitors such as ambassadors or foreign princes.</p> <p><em>Image: The Drawing Room was the focal point of court life where the king would meet members of the court, dressed in their finery. <br/></em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="quote-img-module reverse cfx"> <div class="quote-img-module__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FZ2U8Z7K9%2FV%2F15417%2F36?auto=format&s=350080a650e845de4f58b5b2254d02f0" alt="Engraving of King William III and Queen Mary II The King wears robes of state; the Queen a jewelled gown with pearls. Above them are putti supporting a crown and below is the royal coat of arms." class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="quote-img-module__quote"> <div class="quote-block t-alt bg-secondary"> <div class="quote-block__tray"> <div class="quote-block__txt"> <h3>‘Saturday night last was a great entertynment made for the Prince of Baden at Kensington, where was dancing and gaming … and a great supper and a banquet of sweetmeats … there could not be less than 1000 persons’</h3> </div> <div class="quote-block__author"> <p>A guest at one of William and Mary’s balls </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>William alone</h2> <p>When his beloved Mary died from smallpox in 1694, William lost his enthusiasm for these grand entertainments and instead held more sedate evenings and concerts.<br/><br/>Despite his grief, William finished the building with a grand gallery range to the south of the palace, enlarging Sir Christopher Wren’s original plan. </p> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="circle-block"> <div class="circle-block__tray cfx"> <div class="circle-block__txt"> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>The gallery was originally hung with green velvet, and William would meet his spies and plan his military campaigns here.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FE2hUN4yS%2FV%2F5106%2F29?auto=format&s=8d2f91e63a1fe6d979828e558bcaa3d9" alt="Photo of The King's Gallery at Kensington Palace" class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-ken"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>The King's Gallery</h3> <p>It was here that the King caught a fatal chill, exacerbated by injuries after a horse riding accident days earlier at Hampton Court.</p> <p>His death in 1702 was followed by the brief but eventful reign of Queen Anne.</p> <p>Image: The King’s Gallery, Kensington, built for William III in 1695.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="image-block"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FCQUmc6nL%2FV%2F3700%2F36?auto=format&s=bb00831b8241c8cacbdf3bb57b02a3d4" alt="Engraving of Queen Anne" class="js-lazy"> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>Kensington under Queen Anne</h2> <p>Anne (1702-14) flitted from palace to palace, in between bouts of ill health and 17 pregnancies. Sadly, none of her children lived to succeed her.</p> <p>As reigning queen, Anne used the King's Apartments at Kensington, while her husband Prince George of Denmark used the Queen’s Apartments.</p> <p>The Queen spent little time at Kensington, preferring Hampton Court Palace, as she enjoyed hunting there in the extensive palace grounds.</p> <p>Reigning for such a short time the Queen was not a great builder, but she contributed much to the design of the gardens.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2Fn1iD5W2B%2FV%2F6627%2F29?auto=format&s=233ff9d548198c5df111c1961598c667" alt="" class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-hrp"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>The Orangery</h3> <p>At Kensington in the summer of 1704 Anne conceived of a new ‘greenhouse’ with a terrace where she could grow trees and exotic plants in ceramic pots.</p> <p>Her most extravagant gesture at Kensington is one of London’s most beautiful and perfectly formed buildings.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>Summer parties</h2> <p>Anne commissioned architects Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor to design an orangery which became far more than a greenhouse.</p> <p>Young ‘upstart’ architect John Vanbrugh added details of his own. Inside, Grinling Gibbons carvings and elegant pillars created an airy and delightful space.</p> <p>The Queen loved her Orangery, finished in 1705, and used it to host summer parties at Kensington.</p> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="circle-block"> <div class="circle-block__tray cfx"> <div class="circle-block__txt"> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>Anne also used the Orangery for the traditional Easter ceremony of distributing money to her deserving subjects.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FKcxPQJPB%2FV%2F15018%2F29?auto=format&s=5c1f6477546a89deeeaf063a8c6e9e7f" alt="An illustration showing George I's drawing room at Kensington Palace with a decorate ceiling by William Kent that depicts Jupiter and Semele." class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-ken"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>Georgian graces</h3> <p>When George I (1714-27) succeeded to the throne, he found Kensington ‘very agreeable’.</p> <p>Under his patronage the palace was adorned and enlarged by the upcoming artist designer and architect William Kent.<br/><br/>Kent filled it with art and fine furniture, which gave it the refined 18th-century appearance that many of the grand rooms retain today.</p> <p>Image: The King’s Drawing Room at Kensington. The decorative ceiling was painted by William Kent in 1722.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="image-block"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FAXEmzZ35%2FV%2F15019%2F36?auto=format&s=68d133a8745b1d8c4a86b57036049aa4" alt="An illustration of the Great Staircase at Kensington Palace with its painted background by William Kent." class="js-lazy"> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>The King's Staircase</h2> <p>Kent’s most lasting achievement at Kensington was his painted interiors. The spectacular King’s Staircase features life-size characters from George I’s court.</p> <p>The next monarch, George II (1727-60) and his wife Queen Caroline I enjoyed hosting a far livelier court in these elaborately painted spaces.</p> <p>They invigorated court life at Kensington, hosting lavish receptions and leading society life with sparkle. Clever Caroline held intellectual salons, where the brightest minds in arts and sciences gathered. She also helped shape the design of the palace gardens.</p> <p><em>Image: The staircase was painted by William Kent and completed in 1724. The wrought iron balustrade is by French master blacksmith Jean Tijou.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>The court in decline</h2> <p>After Caroline’s death in 1737, court life fell into a dull, predictable routine, with old courtiers described as ‘flies in the autumn, sunning themselves at a window, past even buzzing’ waiting for the hurricane of a new reign to sweep them all away.<br/><br/>When George II dropped dead of a heart attack in 1760, no reigning monarch then slept within the palace walls for almost 70 years. His grandson, George III, disliked the palace and never stayed there.</p> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="circle-block"> <div class="circle-block__tray cfx"> <div class="circle-block__txt"> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>Despite often criticising Caroline, boorish George II was heartbroken when she died. He swore never to marry again.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FACsHW5bl%2FV%2F15118%2F29?auto=format&s=e132e7f5dace90ce3bb6b400b0578e40" alt="Victoria, Duchess of Kent (1786-1861) with Princess Victoria (after Beechey) c.1824" class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-hrp"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>The precious princess</h3> <p>George III granted apartments to other family members of the royal family as he didn’t wish to live at Kensington himself.</p> <p>Among them was his fourth son Edward, Duke of Kent. His wife German duchess, Victoire, gave birth to a baby girl in 1819. She was christened Alexandrina Victoria (later Queen Victoria), and baptised in the splendour of the Cupola Room.</p> <p>Edward died eight months later, leaving the Duchess to raise Victoria alone. </p> <p><span>Image: Victoire, Duchess of Kent with Princess Victoria (after Beechey) c1824. The infant Victoria holds a miniature portrait of her late father. </span>Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017.</p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="image-block"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FnvVnExC8%2FV%2F3708%2F36?auto=format&s=bccead8847e8af509f6d0e09a7192dcc" alt="Princess Victoria with her spaniel, Dash. The Princess is wearing evening dress, holding a rose, near a table with books and a globe" class="js-lazy"> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>A lonely childhood?</h2> <p>The Duchess of Kent did her best to educate and protect the girl who might one day become queen.</p> <p>Victoria was educated almost entirely within the confines of the palace. Her daily programme of lessons, known as the ‘Kensington System’ was judged by some to be harsh.<br/><br/>Frequent trips to the theatre, daily rides in the gardens and her favourite dog Dash punctuated Victoria's early days.</p> <p>However, Victoria saw virtually no other children and was kept away from life at court.</p> <p>Later in her life, the Queen later recalled a childhood full of ‘painful and disagreeable’ scenes, but she also enjoyed life at Kensington.</p> <p><em>Image: Victoria and her beloved spaniel Dash.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>Victoria becomes queen</h2> <p>On the morning of 20 June 1837, Princess Victoria woke up to be told that the King had died and that she was now queen.<br/><br/>She held her first Privy Council meeting that day in the Red Saloon and a few weeks later departed for Buckingham Palace, admitting she would miss ‘poor old palace’.</p> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="circle-block"> <div class="circle-block__tray cfx"> <div class="circle-block__txt"> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>Victoria was just 18 years old when she became queen in 1837.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FYGUeV9Ei%2FV%2F15117%2F29?auto=format&s=6ef9740a69c0b1126ab29e2bb5a7a28f" alt="The First Council of Queen Victoria by Sir David Wilkie" class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-ken"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>The Red Saloon</h3> <p>This famous painting of Victoria at her first Privy Council meeting still hangs at Kensington Palace. It portrays Victoria as very composed, a few hours after she had become queen. <br/><br/>As her uncle William IV had just died, Victoria would have been wearing a black mourning dress. However, the artist depicted her in white so that she stood out.<br/><br/>Image: The First Council of Queen Victoria, by David Wilkie, 1838, Royal Collection Trust/© Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2017.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="image-block"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FpGpbjBHc%2FV%2F15038%2F36?auto=format&s=e97edc12997dd7eb1918487451802f6d" alt="An image of the East Front of Kensington Palace showing the statue of Queen Victoria." class="js-lazy"> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>The 'Aunt Heap'</h2> <p>After Victoria left for Buckingham Palace, Kensington took on a new quiet life as a royal ‘dormitory’. It was home to several minor members of the royal family.</p> <p>As well as her eccentric uncle, the Duke of Sussex, Queen Victoria lodged two of her daughters here - Princess Beatrice and Princess Louise, a talented sculptor. </p> <p>Louise designed the iconic statue of Queen Victoria on the West Front and it was unveiled in 1893 to celebrate Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.</p> <p>In 1899, Victoria opened the State Apartments to the public. This pattern of continued through the 1900s as parts of the palace remained open to the public while members of the royal family and loyal staff occupied the numerous private apartments. </p> <p>As the royal inhabitants aged, the palace became known as the ‘Aunt Heap’.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section><section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--8@l"> <div class="boxin bg-primary"> <h2>Modern royals </h2> <p>After the war, with the old Victorian princesses long departed, a new generation took centre stage.</p> <p>Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon lived at Kensington with their young family from the 1960s. The couple created fashionable interiors, in which they hosted many parties for celebrity guests, pop stars and artists.</p> <p>The Prince and Princess of Wales lived at Kensington after their wedding in 1981. Their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, grew up there.</p> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--12@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="circle-block"> <div class="circle-block__tray cfx"> <div class="circle-block__txt"> <h3>Did you know?</h3> <p>In 1940, The Luftwaffe dropped incendiary bombs on Kensington, badly damaging the State Apartments.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--grey"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid "> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <div class="promo-block"> <div class="promo-block__img"> <img data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FFbwGlwr2%2FV%2F4754%2F29?auto=format&s=8dc269d6c78b737a21de78d59e2828ca" alt="" class="js-lazy"> </div><div class="promo-block__txt bg-primary t-hrp"> <div class="promo-block__txt-inner"> <h3>Kensington today </h3> <p><a data-id="3526" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/modern-royals/" target="_top" title="Modern Royals">The palace remains home to members of the royal family</a>, including The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children. Kensington Palace was also the first marital home of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.</p> <p>In 2012, Historic Royal Palaces completed major refurbishments at Kensington. With a grand new entrance and new gardens that echo 18th-century designs, Kensington Palace has been restored to the prominence of its heyday.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--white"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="grid"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12"> <ul class="tag-cloud bare-list"> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1136">Historic Royal Palaces</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1155">Gardens</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1168">Palace</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1167">Modern Royals</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1182">Stuart</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1183">Georgian</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1177">Victorian</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1144">Architecture and building history</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1140">Fashion</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tagged-results/?tagId=1164">Life at Court</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--white"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="section-header"> <h2 class="section-header__title"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/history-and-stories/" class="" title="Browse more history and stories" target="_top">Browse more history and stories</a></h2> </div> <div class="grid grid--spaced"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--4@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="related-stories related-stories--align-top t-ken bg-primary js-clickable js-lazy" data-bg="https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FzobXlUhK%2FV%2F13217%2F1?auto=format&s=b0e784ce346fc587fcbd225dc517dbbe"> <div class="related-stories__tray"> <div class="related-stories__title"> <h3><span>William Kent</span></h3> </div> <div class="related-stories__txt related-stories__txt--ken"> <p><span>Royal artist, architect and designer to Georgian kings</span></p> <a class="js-clickable-target" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/history-and-stories/william-kent/"></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--4@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="related-stories related-stories--align-top t-ham bg-primary js-clickable js-lazy" data-bg="https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FnJao9Luv%2FV%2F16007%2F1?auto=format&s=17d0f7fb5c11fa0938d58655cf09c620"> <div class="related-stories__tray"> <div class="related-stories__title"> <h3><span>The Chocolate Kitchens </span></h3> </div> <div class="related-stories__txt related-stories__txt--ham"> <p><span>Where royal chocolate makers prepared this expensive delicacy</span></p> <a class="js-clickable-target" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/chocolate-fit-for-a-king/"></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--12@s g-unit--4@m g-unit--4@l"> <div class="related-stories t-tow bg-primary js-clickable js-lazy" data-bg="https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2Fd2D5e4O7%2FV%2F7288%2F17?auto=format&s=33213b39d0a2db1745f34e361605f992"> <div class="related-stories__tray"> <div class="related-stories__title"> <h3><span>The Crown Jewels </span></h3> </div> <div class="related-stories__txt related-stories__txt--tow"> <p><span>A priceless collection used to crown the kings and queens of England</span></p> <a class="js-clickable-target" href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-crown-jewels/"></a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-slice--palace-ken"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="section-header"> <h2 class="section-header__title"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/whats-on-all-the-palaces/" class="" title="Explore what's on" target="_top">Explore what's on</a></h2> </div>  <div class="grid grid--spaced"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="explore-more t-ken bg-primary"> <div class="explore-more__tray"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/victoria-a-royal-childhood/"> <img class="explore-more__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FRHovBfL2%2FV%2F37700%2F1?auto=format&s=3958bc6f6cdd53350ee27052f3228c50" alt="Full-length, standing, facing the viewer, head turned half to the right, wearing a white dress with a diaphanous blue wrap, holding a posie of flowers in her right hand; beside a path in a parkland setting, with Kensington Palace in the distance, on the right."> </a> <div class="explore-more__tags explore-more__tags--top"> <span>Things to see</span> <span>Highlights</span> </div> <div class="explore-more__title"> <h3><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/victoria-a-royal-childhood/" class="explore-more__link">Victoria: A Royal Childhood</a></h3> </div> <div class="explore-more__txt"> <p>Discover the story of Princess Victoria, the young girl destined to be queen, in the rooms where she was born and raised at Kensington Palace.</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__date"> <p>Open 26 May</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__location"> <p>Kensington Palace</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ticket"> <p>Included in palace admission (members go free)</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ctas"> <div class="explore-more__btns"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/victoria-a-royal-childhood/" target="_top" class="btn btn--light"> <span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Learn more</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="explore-more t-ken bg-primary"> <div class="explore-more__tray"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/royal-style-in-the-making/"> <img class="explore-more__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2F0oV9CU7N%2FV%2F51250%2F36?auto=format&s=f37fb1a1ff2f4153a4d0ab72413e7801" alt="White and gold silk and satin gown"> </a> <div class="explore-more__tags explore-more__tags--top"> <span>Highlights</span> <span>Things to see</span> </div> <div class="explore-more__title"> <h3><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/royal-style-in-the-making/" class="explore-more__link">Royal Style in the Making</a></h3> </div> <div class="explore-more__txt"> <p>Opening at Kensington Palace this summer, this new exhibition explores the intimate relationship between fashion designer and royal client.</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__date"> <p>03 June 2021 - 02 January 2022</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__location"> <p>Kensington Palace</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ticket"> <p>Included in palace admission (members go free)</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ctas"> <div class="explore-more__btns"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace/whats-on/royal-style-in-the-making/" target="_top" class="btn btn--light"> <span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Learn more</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="explore-more t-tow bg-primary"> <div class="explore-more__tray"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/white-tower/"> <img class="explore-more__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FVlJ26nld%2FV%2F14265%2F36?auto=format&s=40a3f054544aaaf5f18952d36dbdfd48" alt="View of the White Tower exterior"> </a> <div class="explore-more__tags explore-more__tags--top"> <span>Things to see</span> </div> <div class="explore-more__title"> <h3><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/white-tower/" class="explore-more__link">White Tower</a></h3> </div> <div class="explore-more__txt"> <p>Marvel at the imposing White Tower, a magnificent example of Norman architecture at the heart of the Tower of London.</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__date"> <p>Open 19 May</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__location"> <p>Tower of London</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ticket"> <p>Included in palace admission (members go free)</p> </div> <div class="explore-more__ctas"> <div class="explore-more__btns"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/white-tower/" target="_top" class="btn btn--light"> <span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Learn more</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="bg-slice bg-white"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="section-header"> <h2 class="section-header__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/?_ga=2.166014718.17622470.1504781452-1654143411.1504781452" class="" title="Shop online" target="_blank">Shop online</a></h2> </div>  <div class="grid grid--spaced"> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="product-block"> <div class="product-block__tray bg-primary"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/collections/britishgifts-souvenirs/unionjack-gifts.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Union_Jack_Category" target="_blank"> <img class="product-block__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2F7baOogGF%2FV%2F37259%2F28?auto=format&s=192723fc92bf9d4e07fb277c041904eb" alt="Union Jack gift collection from Historic Royal Palaces shop"> </a> <div class="product-block__txt"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/collections/britishgifts-souvenirs/unionjack-gifts.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Union_Jack_Category" class="product-block__link" title="Shop Union Jack gifts" target="_blank">Shop Union Jack gifts</a></h3> <p>Brilliantly British our luxury Union Jack collection features patriotic stationary, union jack homewares and luxury leather goods.</p> </div> <div class="product-block__bottom"> <p>From £4.99</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="product-block"> <div class="product-block__tray bg-primary"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/collections/editor-s-picks/queenvictoria-womancrownexhibition-gifts.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Royal_Victoria_Category" target="_blank"> <img class="product-block__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FnMEFnhs6%2FV%2F37177%2F28?auto=format&s=e2276682498570df509cc102285402cb" alt="A selection of the Royal Victoria bone china range displayed in lifestyle setting"> </a> <div class="product-block__txt"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/collections/editor-s-picks/queenvictoria-womancrownexhibition-gifts.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Royal_Victoria_Category" class="product-block__link" title="Royal Victoria gifts" target="_blank">Royal Victoria gifts</a></h3> <p>Exclusively designed for Historic Royal Palaces, our Queen Victoria gifts are inspired by iconic symbols from Queen Victoria's reign.</p> </div> <div class="product-block__bottom"> <p>From £5.99</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="g-unit g-unit--4 g-unit--12@s g-unit--6@m"> <div class="product-block"> <div class="product-block__tray bg-primary"> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/jewellery.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Jewellery_Category" target="_blank"> <img class="product-block__img js-lazy" data-src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://hrp.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fhistoricroyalpalaces.picturepark.com%2FGo%2FH3y1aNmz%2FV%2F37255%2F28?auto=format&s=7e32827095210b1bfcf4d3f009a0e5bb" alt="The Wildflower crystal and pearl tiara sparkles with florets of crystals and an elaborate foliage design."> </a> <div class="product-block__txt"> <h3><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.historicroyalpalaces.com/jewellery.html?utm_source=corp&utm_campaign=Jewellery_Category" class="product-block__link" title="Shop jewellery" target="_blank">Shop jewellery</a></h3> <p>Choose from our stunning collection of jewellery, including pieces inspired by the palaces and the people who lived in them. These beautiful collections include necklaces, rings, earrings, charm bracelets, bangles and pendants.</p> </div> <div class="product-block__bottom"> <p>From £14.99</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <div class="back-to-top"> <a href="#" title="Click here to go back to the top of the page" class="back-to-top__btn"></a> </div> <footer class="sitefooter"> <div class="sitefooter__newsletter newsletter"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="newsletter__intro"> <span class="newsletter__title">Sign up to our e-newsletter</span> </div> <form method="get" action="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/email-signup/" class="newsletter__form"> <label for="nlemail" class="u-vhide">Enter your email address</label> <div class="newsletter__field"> <input id="nlemail" type="text" name="e" placeholder="Enter your email address" class="newsletter__input"> </div> <button type="submit" class="btn btn--solid newsletter__submit"><span class="btn__text btn__text--arrow">Go</span></button> </form> </div> </div> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="sitefooter__main"> <div class="sitefooter__social social"> <h2 class="social__title">Follow us</h2> <ul class="social__list bare-list"> <li class="social__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.facebook.com/kensingtonpalace/" class="social__link social__link--facebook" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li> <li class="social__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://twitter.com/hrp_palaces" class="social__link social__link--twitter" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li> <li class="social__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.instagram.com/historicroyalpalaces/" class="social__link social__link--instagram" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li> <li class="social__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://historicroyalpalaces.tumblr.com/" class="social__link social__link--tumblr" target="_blank">Tumblr</a></li> <li class="social__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.youtube.com/user/HistoricRoyalPalaces" class="social__link social__link--youtube" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li> </ul> </div> <nav class="sitefooter__links"> <ul class="footlinks bare-list"> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/media-and-press/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Media and press</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/visitor-faqs/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">FAQs</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/contact-us/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Contact us</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/travel-trade/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Travel trade</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/http://images.hrp.org.uk/" class="footlinks__link" target="_blank">Image library</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://blog.hrp.org.uk/" class="footlinks__link" target="_blank">Blog</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/terms-of-use/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Terms of use</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/privacy-policy/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Privacy policy</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/privacy-policy/#cookies" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Cookie policy</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/accessibility/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Accessibility</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/policies/modern-slavery-act-statement/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Modern Slavery Statement</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Work for us</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/about-us/research/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">Research</a></li> <li class="footlinks__item"><a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/research-and-development-studio/" class="footlinks__link" target="_top">R&D Studio</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div class="sitefooter__smallprint"> <a href="/web/20210503071931/https://www.hrp.org.uk/" class="sitefooter__logo"> <img data-src="/hrpAssets/img/hrp-logo.svg" alt="Historic Royal Palaces Logo" class="js-lazy"> </a> <p> Copyright © Historic Royal Palaces 2021<br>Historic Royal Palaces is a Registered Charity (No. 1068852) </p> </div> <div class="sitefooter__thanks"> <p>Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity. We rely entirely on your support.</p> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/web/20210503071931js_/https://www.hrp.org.uk/bundles/hrp.js?v=oTCl332IXYJgNqKlMVz9QwzVY4P1giLQD7Y0jCJ6Uzw1"></script> <script src="https://web.archive.org/web/20210503071931js_/https://connect.soundcloud.com/sdk/sdk-3.1.2.js" async></script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

The story of Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace | Historic Royal Palaces