Kensington Palace, the historic residence located in London, has long been a symbol of royal elegance and grandeur.
Home to many members of the British royal family, Kensington Palace holds within its walls a wealth of fascinating history and captivating stories.
In an exclusive interview, Prince William and Catherine, shared a few incredible facts about Kensington Palace, shedding light on its hidden gems and remarkable features. They reside in Apartment 1A, where the late Princess Margaret used to live.
Other members of the royal family who live at Kensington Palace include Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, who are based at Ivy Cottage. Prince Harry also used to live at the palace, before relocating to Windsor with the Duchess of Sussex after their marriage. Here are some fun facts about the popular royal residence…
You can get married there without being a royal – The royal residence also doubles up as a wedding venue – and the good news is that you don’t need to be royal to marry there. There are several spots around the palace and its grounds that are available to book for weddings, including the King’s Gallery and King’s Drawing Room within the palace, or the beautiful Sunken Garden, where Prince Harry and Meghan posed for photos after announcing their engagement in November 2017.
Also read: See a never-before-seen picture of Prince William and Kate hugging.
Only one spot at the palace is licenced for civil ceremonies; The Orangery located on the grounds of Kensington Palace can hold 150 guests for the ceremony, 120 for dinner and dancing and up to 300 for a reception. Of course, it comes at a cost; according to E! Online, The Orangery costs around £17,822 on a Saturday or Sunday, or you can pay £12,189 for evening hire.
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It was home to Princess Diana – Diana, Princess of Wales called Kensington Palace her home from her wedding day in 1981 until her untimely death in 1997, and during that time she developed an inimitable connection to the royal residence. Apartment 8 was where Princes William and Harry both spent much of their childhood and so great was Diana’s love of the residence that she decided to stay there following her divorce from Prince Charles in 1996. Apartment 8 is now used by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for their work projects.
Where Queen Victoria first met Prince Albert – The young soon-to-be queen grew up here; she escaped into a world of storytelling and drawing when she was separated from other children at the instruction of her mother, the Duchess of Kent. The royal drew suitors from across Europe, but it was her cousin Prince Albert who caught Queen Victoria’s attention. After his visit to Kensington Palace in 1836, she wrote to her uncle and described Albert as someone who had a “pleasing and delightful exterior.” They got married in 1840 and went on to have nine children – five girls and four boys.
The walls of Kensington Palace have seen numerous births and deaths – Queen Mary II died of smallpox here, while Queen Anne suffered heartbreaking miscarriages and stillbirths. Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, who became Queen Mary (consort of George V) was born at the palace, as was Queen Victoria.
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When the home became an official royal residence – Kensington Palace became a royal residence in the 1600s when William III – who suffered from asthma – was looking to escape the grime of Whitehall for the healthier air of Kensington. Although the palace no longer feels like the “countryside”, visitors can certainly appreciate the calmness amongst the trees in the pretty gardens.
In the heart of London, Kensington Palace stands as a timeless symbol of royal magnificence. Through the exclusive insights shared by Prince William and Catherine, we have uncovered the secrets and marvels that lie within its walls. May its grandeur continue to enchant and captivate generations to come, preserving the spirit of royalty and leaving an indelible mark on the tapestry of British heritage.
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