You Won't Believe This – Kate Middleton And Prince William Reveal The Kensington Palace Rooms Featuring Unexpected IKEA Buys
The Prince and Princess of Wales decorated George and Charlotte's rooms with IKEA sets, proving that Swedish minimalism can feel at home even in a palace
IKEA daytrips are a favorite pastime of mine, almost as much as my love for their iconic furniture (I can’t imagine my life without a BILLY, for example). It seems I’m in good company: Even Kate Middleton and Prince William can’t resist IKEA’s clean, minimalist appeal, which has reportedly made its way into Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.
During a 2018 visit to ArkDes, Sweden’s national museum for art and design, the couple told Marcus Engman, IKEA’s head of design, that they owned furniture sets from the brand. The exact pieces remain unconfirmed, but Engman later told reporters that the furniture is part of Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s bedrooms.
Despite a combined net worth in the tens of millions and multiple royal residences, the couple has embraced self-assembled furniture – at least in their children’s rooms. It’s a modest, surprisingly relatable choice from a family often associated with opulence, and offers a rare glimpse into their Kensington Palace apartment, which is otherwise famously more mysterious.
Shop IKEA Bedroom Staples
This sturdy pine cabinet works perfectly on its own or as a base paired with a stackable unit, offering exceptional versatility.
This duvet cover set is crafted from soft 100% cotton, featuring crisp, timeless green and white yarn-dyed stripes. The thicker yarn adds a cozy, artisanal touch, bringing subtle vintage charm to your bedroom.
The PAX storage frame is designed to fold open like a book, allowing you to assemble it right where you want and avoid heavy lifting. It's a timeless bedroom essential.
This neutral cushion cover features a textured, matte-sheen surface with elegant flange edging, adding both style and structure. It pairs effortlessly with throws and bedspreads for a layered, sophisticated look
Billy bookcase will always be an icon for a reason. Its versatile design lets you use it in countless ways at home, whether for books or everyday items.
Crafted from handwoven rattan, each basket boasts a unique, organic character. Thoughtfully sized to complement any shelving, it blends sculptural style with practical versatility, making it as functional as it is visually striking.
The couple previously lived in Apartment 1A inside Kensington Palace, which drew attention when they moved in 2017, only a few months before their trip to Sweden.
While they no longer use it as their primary residence (it has since been replaced by Forest Lodge, a stately mansion in Windsor Great Park), the apartment remains their official London residence and the offices of the Prince and Princess.
Consequently, it's remained a point of fascination, especially after the palace released images during Michelle and Barack Obama’s state visit, giving the public a rare glimpse of their interiors (however, there were sadly no IKEA pieces visible in this room).
Barack Obama's visit to Kensington Palace in 2016
With the clothes, castles, and crowns, royals can feel distant, but anyone who’s wrestled with self-assembled furniture can relate to this surprisingly similarity. Now we'll await to see if we can catch any Swedish design staples in Forest Lodge – time can only tell.
