Modern Royals

Who lives at Kensington Palace?

As well as being a popular visitor destination, Kensington Palace is the official London residence of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are also based in the palace's royal apartments.

Kensington Palace's previous residents have included The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Diana, Princess of Wales, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Margaret.

A general view of the North Front from Wiggly Walk. A marquee can be seen on the right of frame.

The Cupola Room, looking west. Showing a musical clock, known as the 'Temple of the Four Great Monarchies of the World', acquired by Augusta Princess of Wales in c1743. Made by Charles Clay, the clock was unfinished at his death in 1740 and completed by John Pyke (active 1710–77). The Tyvek figures represent Georgian courtiers. The Cupola Room was the principal state room of the palace, and it was here that Princess Victoria, later Queen, was christened in 1819.

Preserving the palace's history

Kensington Palace is owned by His Majesty the King on behalf of the nation, with Historic Royal Palaces caring for the parts that are open to the public.

This includes the King's State Apartments — which were first opened to visitors by Queen Victoria in 1898 — and the palace's exhibition spaces.

Historic Royal Palaces is an independent charity that looks after six palaces, including Kensington Palace. We are responsible for ensuring their preservation for future generations to enjoy.

Visit Kensington Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry visited the White Garden at Kensington Palace, in tribute to their mother, Princess Diana. They were given a tour of the garden by Head Gardener, Sean Harkin, and Operations Manager, Graham Dillamore.

This planting includes pots of classic English white roses surrounding the reflective pool in the centre of the garden, with Cosmos daisies and Gaura weaving through the grass.

The Sunken Garden

Diana, Princess of Wales was particularly fond of the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace and in 2017 the planting scheme was transformed into The White Garden in her memory.

We were proud to welcome TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, who visited the White Garden in August 2017. They were given a tour of the garden by Head Gardener, Sean Harkin, and Operations Manager, Graham Dillamore.

In November 2017, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to hold the official photo call to mark the announcement of their engagement in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace.

Visit the Kensington Palace gardens

Painting of Princess Victoria and her Favourite Dog showing Queen Victoria as a young girl poised in front of a large window decorated with red curtains in front of a blue sky

A historic royal residence

Kensington Palace was also the childhood home of Queen Victoria, the great, great, great, great grandmother of The Duke of Cambridge and and The Duke of Sussex.

It was at the palace that Victoria met Prince Albert, her future Consort, and was woken with news of her accession in June 1837. She held her first Privy Council meeting that same day in the Red Saloon and a few weeks later departed for Buckingham Palace, admitting she would miss the ‘poor old palace’.

Modern Royals Gardens 21st Century