William III, Queen Anne and Queen Victoria all lived here. This ancient palace has witnessed the convergence of power and wealth, quietly bearing the joys and sorrows of countless princes and princesses. The fates of members of the royal family often mirror those of ordinary people, with good and bad fortunes, reminding us of the unpredictability of life. In recent decades, Kensington Palace has remained a bustling hub, welcoming and saying goodbye to many of the ladies who married British princes, with their first homes often settled here.
Among them, the most famous are Diana, Kate and Meghan. In 1981, at the age of 20, Diana married Charles amid great public attention. After the wedding, they moved to apartments eight and nine north of Kensington Palace. Princess Diana had a girl's cute taste, and she decorated their marital home to her liking, so pink was everywhere. With pale yellow wallpaper, pale red sofas, and pale blue curtains, their cozy home welcomed the birth of their two children, William and Harry, shortly after they got married. Many childhood photos of princes were taken at this palace.
During quieter times, Princess Diana, who loved to shop, would take her children out nearby. One Christmas, they visited the nearby Selfridges department store. The trio waited in line for 15 minutes to take a photo with Santa, attracting quite a crowd. Although Kensington Palace later witnessed countless tears from Princess Diana, of all the royal residences, this place holds a special place for her, imprinted with her presence hers. However, Charles had a different feeling. After their marriage broke down, he often sought refuge at Clarence House, where his grandmother resided, to see Camilla. Diana, on the other hand, continued to live at Kensington Palace until 1997.
After Charles and the children left, apartments eight and nine of Kensington Palace became Diana's residence, a provision made to her in the divorce settlement.On the summer day of Diana's death, mourners placed a sign of flowers at the palace gates. In 2013, just two years after William and Kate's epic wedding, Kensington Palace welcomed another power couple. William and Kate's London residence is located at Apartment 1A of Kensington Palace. It is said that in order to facilitate the move of her nephew and niece-in-law, the Queen personally negotiated with the management of the Royal estate to regain the right of residence.
The royal family then renovated the space, updating it with modern furniture, appliances and security systems. After renovation, this four-story area includes 20 rooms. In 2016, William and Kate hosted the Obamas here and the interior can be glimpsed in publicity photos. The living rooms feature modern, minimalist beige decor, complementing Kate's simple and calm demeanor. However, as George, Charlotte and Louis grew up, William and Kate wished for more space for their children to play freely.Kensington Palace's central location in the midst of bustling tourist crowds means that privacy cannot be guaranteed.
