Inside Kensington Palace – the Prince and Princess of Wales's historic family home

The Jacobean mansion was the former residence of Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London
(Image credit: Alamy)

The death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022 marked a significant shift in the British royal family. Her son, Charles III, became King of the United Kingdom –meaning his eldest son, William, ascended to the position of the Prince of Wales. 

The former Duke of Cambridge and his wife, Catherine (formally the Duchess of Cambridge, now the Princess of Wales), recently made headlines following their move to Adelaide Cottage in Berkshire – near Windsor Castle – the famous royal residence that belonged to the late Her Majesty. However, despite moving to the country, William and Catherine are expected to keep their most recent residence, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace.

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

The Cupola Room

(Image credit: Alamy)

Where is Kensington Palace?

Kensington Palace is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, England. The estate is one of the grandest in the British capital and is one of the world's best homes – featuring 107 hectares of garden and a mansion with a rich royal history. 

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

Kensington Gardens

(Image credit: Alamy)

What is Kensington Palace famous for?

The royal residence is best known as the official home of William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales. However, it has housed other notable royals since its completion by Sir George Coppin in 1605. Queen Victoria enjoyed the palace's regal decorating ideas at the start of her life (when she was Princess Alexandrina Victoria), and she was baptized in the Cupola Room (pictured above).

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

The Hallway

(Image credit: Alamy)

In recent history, Princess Margaret, the Countess of Snowdon (Queen Elizabeth II's sister), and her husband, the Earl of Snowdon, moved into Apartment 10 before undergoing a large renovation in the early 1960s.

The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) and his wife, Diana, Princess of Wales, also lived in Kensington Palace during their marriage. It remained Diana's official residence following their divorce until her death in 1997. There is a statue of Princess  Diana in the palace gardens. 

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

(Image credit: Alamy)

Prince William and Harry spent their childhood in the palace, which remains the official home of the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Is Kensington Palace open to public?

Yes, the State Rooms are open to the public, but there are some offices and accommodation areas that remain private for the family.

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

The King's Gallery 

(Image credit: Alamy)

The palace exhibits a host of paintings and other objects from the Royal Collection that are displayed to visitors. 

Beyond the State Rooms, Princess Catherine commissioned designer Ben Pentreath to decorate their apartment in 2017. The London-based designer, admired for quintessential yet playful home decor ideas, had already worked with Charles on the Duchy of Cornwall estate and the Royal Pavilion in Poundbury in Dorchester. His clientele also includes actresses Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler. 

Kensington Palace in Chelsea, London

(Image credit: Alamy)

Who lives in Kensington Palace now?

The Prince and Princess of Wales will likely keep their apartment in Kensington Palace, despite moving to the Berkshire town of Windsor in southeast England.

You can visit Kensington Palace at Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX. 

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.