A Royal Residence with Multiple Households
Kensington Palace is not a single home but a collection of apartments and state rooms spread across a sprawling complex in the heart of London. While much of the palace is open to the public as a historic visitor attraction, significant portions remain private residences for members of the Royal Family.
The palace has served as a home for royals since the late 17th century, and that tradition continues today. Unlike Buckingham Palace, which functions primarily as the monarch's official headquarters, Kensington Palace is very much a lived-in space where royal families raise children, host private gatherings and carry out daily life alongside thousands of visiting tourists.
The Prince and Princess of Wales
The most high-profile residents are the Prince and Princess of Wales, who moved into Apartment 1A following extensive renovations completed in 2013. Despite the modest-sounding name, Apartment 1A is a substantial four-storey residence with around 20 rooms. It was previously home to Princess Margaret until her death in 2002.
William and Catherine chose Kensington Palace partly for its relative privacy compared to Buckingham Palace. The palace sits within Kensington Gardens, providing green space and a degree of seclusion that is difficult to find elsewhere in central London. Their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have grown up within its grounds.
Other Royal Residents
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester occupy one of the palace apartments. Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is a cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and has lived at Kensington Palace for decades. He continues to carry out royal duties from his residence there.
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank have also been based at Kensington Palace. Ivy Cottage within the palace grounds has been their London residence, providing a base close to other family members.
The Apartment System
The term "apartment" at Kensington Palace can be misleading. These are not the kind of flats you would find in an ordinary London building. Each apartment is effectively a large, self-contained house within the palace complex, often spread across multiple floors with private gardens. Some have been subdivided over the centuries, while others have been combined to create larger residences.
The apartments are owned by the Crown and allocated to members of the Royal Family by the monarch. Residents do not pay rent in the traditional sense, though they are responsible for the upkeep and furnishing of their private quarters. Public funds cover the maintenance of the building's historic fabric.
A Long History of Royal Residents
Kensington Palace has housed royals continuously since William III and Mary II moved there in 1689. Queen Victoria was born in the palace in 1819 and lived there until she became Queen and moved to Buckingham Palace. Princess Diana was one of the palace's most famous residents, living in Apartments 8 and 9 from her marriage to Prince Charles in 1981 until her death in 1997.
The palace today balances its dual role as both a public heritage site managed by Historic Royal Palaces and a private home for working members of the Royal Family. Visitors exploring the State Rooms and exhibitions walk through corridors and gardens that sit just metres from the private apartments where royal families go about their daily lives.
