About Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. It is situated in Kensington Gardens in London. For over seventy years Kensington palace has been the preferred unofficial seat of British Monarchs.

Among the royalty often associated with Kensington palace are William II and Mary III, Queen Anne, George I, George II, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. It was the official residence of Princess Diana since her marriage until her death in August 1997.

Among the Kensington curiosities you will find the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. A collection of clothes dating from the 18th to the late 20th Century, consisting of ceremonial clothes worn by the Royal family and court officials. Admire the fine silks and elaborate embroidery of the court dresses, an elegance and style that has been lost to time. The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection features a Court Mantua of French silk brocade exquisitely decorated in silver stripes and scrolling garlands, trimmed with silver lace from the 1760's. The dress is  supposed to have belonged to Mary, Marquioness of Rockingham, wife of Charles second marquis of Rockinham. Visitors can also find out how these elaborate clothes were produced.

Queen Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in 1819 and spent much of her childhood there. Visit Queen Victoria's girlhood bedroom. This is where she slept until she became queen in 1837 at the age of eighteen.

Climb the king's staircase for a trip back in time to George I's court in the stairwell. The staircase walls and ceiling were painted by William Kent to depict an 18th century court scene. In his life sized depiction he includes several interesting characters of George I's court including Peter the wild boy, a child found in the woods of Germany and the kings polish page boy Ulric. The artist has also included himself and his mistress among the court retinue. The King's Gallery was also designed by William Kent. It remains unchanged since the time  George I walked its length and consulted the dial above the fireplace connected to a wind-vane on the roof showing him which way the wind was blowing, in which direction his navy might be sailing and when the posts might arrive. The gallery also displays a valuable collection of paintings.

Kensington Palace is also the site where Princess Diana was mourned. Millions of bouquets were left at the palace gates on the day of her death. The funeral procession to Westminster abbey commenced from Kensington palace and the palace remained open to the public for twenty-four hours allowing people to sign the books of condolence.

Kensington Palace is open to visitors seven days of the week.

Location

By Tube and train :

High Street Kensington (within 10 minutes walking time)
Queensway (within 5 minutes walking time)
Notting Hill Gate (within 15 minutes walking time).

By Bus :

70, 94, 148, 390 to Bayswater Road or 9, 10, 49, 52, 70, and 452 to Kensington High Street.