Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace, Kensington, Co. Greater London

Kensington Palace has been the lavish residence of some of Britain’s most flamboyant monarchs. More recently it was the residence of Princess Diana and today Kensington Palace houses a collection of dresses worn by the Princess and an exhibition of court fashions throughout the ages.

Kensington Palace was established as a royal residence during the reign of William and Mary in 1689. When they came to power court was officially held at Whitehall Palace, but William who suffered with asthma found the London smog intolerable. He moved court to the then more peaceful country settings of Kensington and acquired Nottingham House which with Christopher Wren’s guidance, was transformed into Kensington Palace.

Kensington Palace Gates

It remained the chief royal residence for 70 years until George III moved court to Buckingham Palace . Since then it was the ostentatious state apartments granted to Princesses most notably Princess Victoria. As well as being born in Kensington Palace, it was to be the place where the Princess would be informed of her accession to the throne, starting the long reign of Queen Victoria .

The Palace houses interesting exhibitions into the etiquette of court dress and to the fashions and social occasions of high society from the 17th century right through to the Victorian era. Kensington Palaces also plays host to a collection of more recent royal fashions including an eclectic collection of hats and handbags belonging to the Queen and a selection of dresses famously worn by Princess Diana on public occasions. These include those commissioned from famous couturiers such as Cathrine Walker, Zandra Rhodes and Bellville Sassoon and shoes made by Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo.

The state apartments are equally impressive in their flamboyant décor and everywhere you look wealth and opulence is evident. The King’s and Queen’s apartments incorporate grand marble staircases, rich tapestries, elegant oil paintings on the walls and spectacular friezes on the ceilings. The gardens also present a genteel setting for all this splendour.
Tube Station: Queensway, High Street Kensington