Kensington Palace in London

Kensington Palace, in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, is one of the most famous royal residences in the world.

In existence since the 17th century, Kensington’s most recent residents are the Queen’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent and his wife, the Duke and Duchess of Glouchester, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent. Princess Diana lived there after her marriage to Prince Charles, with her sons, up until her death in 1997.

When William III and Mary II became king and queen in 1869, the official royal residence was Whitehall Palace. It remained the official centre of the court during William’s reign, but they did not live there because its damp riverside location and smoky air from London threatened to worsen William’s asthma. As a result, they chose Nottingham House, a Jacobean mansion built in 1605 in Kensington. The Queen was anxious to move in, so the building project to improve it for their use was rushed, and she and King William lived there under its new name, until her death in 1694 and his death in 1702.

For the next seventy years, Kensington Palace was the primary residence of the royal family. In 1911, its State Apartments were renovated in accommodation of the newly founded London Museum, which was devoted to the display of objects relating to the City of London and to royal relics. The State Apartments were filled with showcases, some containing hundreds of objects. One of its most exceptional showcases was a large collection of costume, including 18th-century court dress, coronation robes, and dresses worn by Queen Victoria, Queen Alexandra, and Queen Mary.

In 1914, the museum moved to the west end of London, in Lancaster House near St. James’ Park. The State Apartments were closed, and were used for offices of a variety of charitable organisations during World War I. The palace did not reopen until 1923. It was badly damaged during World War II, but was reopened in 1949, after five years of repair and renovations.

In 1950, the London Museum returned to Kensington Palace, where it remains to this very day as homage to the past royals who resided there, the Queen however now resides in Buckingham palace. Kensington palace continues to be a resident for many minor members of the royal family. It contains a remarkable collection of Princess Diana’s dresses in its Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection for the public to enjoy and to learn about the history of the monarchy in England. Once you've finished visiting the palace Hyde Park is within walking distance and is worth visiting.