The death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 marked a significant shift in the British royal family. Her son, Charles III, became King of the United Kingdom –meaning his eldest son, William, ascended to the position of the Prince of Wales.
The former Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Catherine (formally the Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales), recently made headlines following their move to Adelaide Cottage in Berkshire – near Windsor Castle – the famous royal residence that belonged to the late Her Majesty. However, despite moving to the country, William and Catherine are expected to keep their most recent residence, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.
The Cupola Room
Where is Kensington Palace?
Kensington Palace is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. The estate is one of the grandest in the British capital and is one of the world's best homes – featuring 107 hectares of garden and a mansion with a rich royal history.
Kensington Gardens
What is Kensington Palace famous for?
The royal residence is best known as the official home of William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales. However, it has housed other notable royals since its completion by Sir George Coppin in 1605. Queen Victoria enjoyed the palace's regal decorating ideas at the start of her life (when she was Princess Alexandrina Victoria), and she was baptized in the Cupola Room (pictured above).
The Hallway
In recent history, Princess Margaret, the Countess of Snowdon (Queen Elizabeth II's sister), and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, moved into Apartment 10 before undergoing a large renovation in the early 1960s.
The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and his wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, also lived in Kensington Palace during their marriage. It remained Diana's official residence following their divorce until her death in 1997. There is a statue of Princess Diana in the palace gardens.
Prince William and Harry spent their childhood in the palace, which remains the official home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Is Kensington Palace open to public?
Yes, the State Rooms are open to the public, but there are some offices and accommodation areas that remain private for the family.
The King's Gallery
The palace exhibits a host of paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection that are displayed to visitors.
Beyond the State Rooms, Princess Catherine commissioned designer Ben Pentreath to decorate their apartment in 2017. The London-based designer, admired for quintessential yet playful home decor ideas, had already worked with Charles on the Duchy of Cornwall estate and the Royal Pavilion in Poundbury in Dorchester. His clientele also includes actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler.
Who lives in Kensington Palace now?
The Prince and Princess of Wales will likely keep their apartment in Kensington Palace, despite moving to the Berkshire town of Windsor in southeast England.
You can visit Kensington Palace at Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX.
-
7 garden items to never leave outside in winter – and how to safely store them until springThe cold can cause these items to freeze, tarnish and break beyond repair
-
7 nostalgic cleaning tips – passed down through generations – that actually workTaking inspiration from the past, these are the tips that stand the test of time
-
Inside Windsor Castle – take the tour before Prince William and Kate Middleton move inWe take a look inside Windsor Castle before the new royals move to the historic home
-
The Prince and Princess of Wales have just inherited this charming 'secret' farmhouseKing Charles had purchased the ancient cottage in Carmarthenshire – a county known as the ‘Garden of Wales’
-
St James's Palace – Princess Anne's official London residenceThe most senior 'royal palace in the United Kingdom' plays host to Anne, Princess Royal when she is visiting the capital
-
St George’s Chapel at Windsor – to be the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth IIThe funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II will turn the world's eyes to St Geroge's Chapel, Windsor, a place that embodies great tradition and national importance in the UK
-
Gatcombe Park – where Princess Anne lives with her her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy LaurenceAnne, The Princess Royal has called the rural Gatcombe Park her home since the 1970s
-
Clarence House – where the King and Queen Consort will continue to live while renovations on Buckingham Palace are carried outSince 2003, King Charles III has occupied Clarence House as his official London residence. H&G looks at the building’s remarkable history
-
Revealed: King Charles III's historic retreat at Highgrove – a neo-classical masterpieceThe Georgian, neo-classical home is the official residence of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen consort
-
Windsor Castle – the historic home where the Prince and Princess of Wales will resideWindsor Castle continues to be one of the jewels in Britain’s royal heritage
