Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace got its start when William III and Mary II came to power. Royalty resided at Whitehall Palace, but neither William nor Mary enjoyed living there. Whitehall was not good for William’s health, because he had chronic asthma. This is why in 1689 they bought Nottingham House, which was a Jacobean mansion (Kensington Palace). It was located in Kensington, a much more pleasant place to live. The King commissioned Christopher Wren to improve the House as fast as he could because they were anxious to move in to their new quarters. Even after they took up residence in 1689, additions and improvements were continuously made. The Queen expanded her apartments; the King’s Staircase, Guard Chamber, and King’s Gallery were all added and the Great Court was rebuilt because of a fire (Kensington Palace). Mary contracted smallpox and died at Kensington Palace, the place which was vastly improved by her touch. William also died at the Palace a few years later after a riding accident.

Queen Anne also spent time at Kensington Palace when she ascended to the throne. Although she did not make nearly as many additions to the Palace as Mary did, she did improve the gardens surrounding the Palace. Her major contribution to Kensington Palace is the Orangery which is north of the Palace. The Orangery was meant to be a greenhouse and was also a ‘summer supper house’ and a place for entertainment (Kensington Palace). Both Anne and her husband died at the Palace as well.

The next two reigning monarchs played an important role in the history of Kensington Palace. George I had a celebratory bonfire at the Palace, but on further inspection he decided that the Palace was unsuitable for him. This is why he commissioned William Kent to redesign the rooms. He also did extensive rebuilding, which meant that he could not spend much time there because it was always being in the process of changing things (Kensington Palace). He preferred Hanover to England anyway (Hibbert 147). The refurbishing of the Palace was completed by the time George II came to power. George II spent a lot of time at Kensington Palace, usually about four six months of the year there. During his stay, the Palace acquired many fine pieces of art and furniture. The King’s death signified the last time that Kensington Palace would be the seat of a reigning monarch (Kensington Palace).

Queen Victoria was thoroughly acquainted with Kensington Palace. She was born in there on May 24, 1819 and was even christened in the Cupola Room. Victoria lived at Kensington with her mother until she became Queen of England in 1837. Once she heard the news of her ascension, she immediately moved to Buckingham Palace (Kensington Palace). After becoming Queen, Victoria did not use Kensington Palace much at all; it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. It was in such bad shape that people began to make plans to demolish it and build something else in its place. This is when Victoria stepped in; she is quoted as saying, "while she lived, the palace in which she was born should not be destroyed” (qtd. in Kensington Palace). In 1898 Parliament conceded to pay for restoration efforts so that Kensington Palace could be improved. Queen Victoria was involved in the process of choosing the paintings and exhibits that went into the State Apartments that would be open to the public.

The purpose of Kensington Palace after the reign of Queen Victoria varied through the years. In 1911, the State Apartments became the home of the Museum of London, which had been newly founded (Kensington Palace). The museum moved to another location and then during the First World War, the State Apartments became offices. The Palace suffered heavy damage during World War II. After the damage was repaired, the London Museum moved back to the Palace one last time before they moved out of the palace for good (Kensington Palace). Kensington Palace is still a place of residence for royalty. The most well-known and most recent royalty to stay there was Princess Diana. She stayed there from 1981 to 1997 (Kensington Palace). At her death, Kensington Palace became a place of pilgrimage, a place to remember her and the life she led (Monger and Chandler). Her apartments are not open to visit, but the Palace does have a display of some of her dresses. Kensington Palace has housed years and years of history, both literally as a museum and by the people who have lived there.

Works Cited

Hibbert, Christopher. The Story of England. London: Phaidon Press Limited, 1992.

Kensington Palace. Historic Royal Palaces. 16 Jun 2008. <http://www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/stories/buildinghistory/default.aspx>.

Monger, George, and Jennifer Chandler. "Pilgrimage to Kensington Palace." Folklore (London, England) 109 (1998): 108.

photo courtesy of Cecily Olsen