Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England.



The year he became king, 1689, William and his wife Mary bought their mansion, perfectly positioned for London socializing and country living. They brought in Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor to remodel and enlarge the house, and moved in for Christmas.


Despite the small rooms, George I introduced palatial grandeur with Colen Campbell's staircase and state rooms, elegantly decorated by William Kent. Meanwhile, Queen Anne added the Orangery and annexed a chuck of royal Hyde Park, a trick repeated by George II's wife, Queen Caroline, who created the Round Pond and Long Water to complete the 110-ha (275 acre) Kensington Gardens. Today, a wide variety of trees are the backdrop for sculptures, monuments and contemporary exhibitions at the Serpentine Gallery.



On 24 May 1819, Queen Victoria was born here. She was baptized in the splendid Cupola Room, spent her childhood in rooms overlooking the gardens and on 20 June 1837, learned here she was to be queen. Later she opened her childhood home to the public. There is a permanent exhibition about Diana, Princess of Wales. London is a fascinating travel destination. Besides Kensington Palace, the Top Ten Royal London places to visit includes Regent's Park, Hampton Court, St James's Palace, Kew Palace and Queen Charlotte's Cottage, Queen's House, Royal Mews, Queen's Chapel, Clarence House and Banqueting House.