Kensington Palace: William & Kate's London Home

Prince William & Kate are recovering from the pomp of their April 29 wedding day by relaxing at their country home, in Anglesey, an island off the north coast of Wales. But William's proximity to the throne, as well as the couple's frequent charity work, will bring them to London often. Where will they live in London? That most royal of royal homes: Kensington Palace.

Kensington Palace: History

London's Kensington Palace began as Nottingham House, becoming royal when King William III purchased it in 1689. He commissioned famed British architect Christopher Wren to extend and improve the house and gardens.

Until 1760, Kensington Palace was the favored London residence for the royal family. Queen Victoria was born and grew up there, and there she learned that she had become Queen. Almost immediately, she moved to Buckingham Palace, which has been the main royal London residence since.

Kensington Palace Residents

Many royals have lived in Kensington Palace. It is huge and is divided into many apartments.

Princess Diana was the most famous recent resident of Kensington Palace. It was the official London residence for her, Prince Charles, and children William and Harry. After her divorce, Diana kept her Kensington Palace apartment (apartments 8 and 9). Today, those rooms are used as offices and as storage space for memorabilia.

The current queen's late sister, Princess Margaret, lived at Kensington Palace with her husband, Lord Snowdon. Other royals who lived there include King William and Queen Mary; Queen Anne and her husband, George; George II and Caroline; and George IV and Caroline.

Kensington Palace for Visitors

It's not just royals at Kensington Palace -- visitors are welcome as well. You can visit various exhibits in a public part of the palace, and an extensive renovation to the exhibits will be completed in 2012. Changing exhibits fill Kensington Palace's rooms for visitors, with some notable past exhibits featuring royal ceremonial dress, Princess Diana, and the field of flowers which surrounded the palace following Diana's 1997 death.

Kensington Palace for William & Kate

Kensington Palace is a huge place, and William & Kate will live in just an apartment there -- not the entire palace. No doubt their rooms will be decorated to their liking, perhaps in a style reminiscent of that William grew up with when he lived there as a child.

Kensington Palace has been called a children's paradise, due to its light, airy rooms, long hallways and wonderful gardens. With a royal baby watch already on, it's good to know that a royal baby would have a fun place to call home.

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