Kensington Palace is home to numerous royals, with perhaps some of its most famous residents being the Prince and Princess of Wales, before they moved to Windsor, and the late Princess Diana and Princess Margaret. Today, the complex, which dates back to the 17th century, is home to four royal couples.
But what do you know of those who call it home and those who once lived inside its hallways? Read on to find out all you need to know...
Who lived at Kensington Palace?
The Prince and Princess of Wales
© WPA PoolOne of the most famous former residents are the Prince and Princess of Wales alongside their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, with them residing in Apartment 1A. The 20-room, four-storey mansion previously belonged to Princess Margaret boasts five reception rooms, three main bedrooms, dressing rooms, a night and day nursery, and staff quarters.
Apartment 1A, which overlooks Hyde Park, was opened up to give 20 rooms instead of the original 30. Modern fittings around the house include underfloor heating, encrypted WIFI, a TV projector and a panic room.
The couple moved from Anmer Hall in Norfolk to Apartment 1A in 2017, just in time for George to start school and Charlotte to enrol at nursery.
Princess Diana
© Tim GrahamDiana, Princess of Wales lived in Apartments 8 and 9 even after her divorce from Prince Charles. Her sons Prince William and Prince Harry were raised there and attended nursery and junior school nearby, before going to Eton College.
According to biographer Andrew Morton, the palace was a "children's paradise" with its long passageways, a helicopter pad and many outdoor gardens, including one on the roof where the family spent many hours.
Princess Margaret
© Hulton ArchiveThe late Princess Margaret called the Palace home, and she lived there with her husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, where they raised their two children: David Armstrong-Jones and Lady Sarah Chatto. The couple were known for hosting lavish parties with celebrities of the day during their time, and they occupied the room that was inhabited by William and Kate.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
© Anwar HusseinBefore moving to the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex lived at Frogmore Cottage, but before this the couple lived at Frogmore Cottage, but before this the couple called Nottingham Cottage home. Unlike some of the grander rooms at Kensington Palace, Nottingham Cottage, also known as Nott Cott, boasts only two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen.
Speaking about the home in his Netflix docu-series, Harry & Meghan, Harry joked: "As far as people were concerned, we were living in a palace. We were. In a cottage."
The location is also where Harry proposed to the Duchess, reportedly while the pair were cooking a roast chicken. Reflecting on her memories at the home, Meghan said: "It was just a chapter in our lives where I don't think anyone could believe what it was actually like behind the scenes."
Who lives at Kensington Palace?
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank
© Jon FurnissCurrently, Kensington Palace's most famous residents are Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank and their two sons, August and Ernest. Showcasing her close bond with her royal cousin, Eugenie now lives with her young family in his former home of Nottingham Cottage. However, the home is only their UK base, as the family also spend time in Portugal thanks to Jack's job in the European country.
Before moving to Nottingham Cottage, the couple lived at Ivy Cottage inside the Palace, moving in just months before they tied the knot in 2018.
Prince and Princess Michael of Kent
© Max Mumby/IndigoPrince Michael and Princess Michael live in Apartment 10 at Kensington Palace, a five-bedroom, five-reception room apartment. The couple have lived in the palace since the seventies and were once neighbours with Princess Diana who lived next door at combined Apartment 8 and 9.
The Kents, who retired from public duties in 2022, came under fire in the 2000s when it was revealed that they do not pay rent. Her Majesty had been paying her cousin's £120,000 rent, while he and his wife only took care of the weekly utility bill. Members of parliament demanded that they start paying their £10,000-a-month market rate rent in 2002.
The Duke and Duchess of Kent
© Max Mumby/IndigoLiving next door to Princess Eugenie and Jack are the late Queen's cousin, the Duke of Kent, and his wife Katharine. Their modest two-storey cottage, which once housed palace staff, overlooks a walled garden and is slightly detached from the palace. It was named after Sir Christopher Wren, the palace's chief restorer.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
© Tim GrahamThe Duke and Duchess of Gloucester currently live in the Old Stables at Kensington Palace after downsizing from Apartment 1. The couple moved to the residence after a refurbishment to modernise the living space and downsized after their children left home. The Old Stables was famously home to Tommy Lascelles, who fans of The Crown might recognise from the early season of the show.
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