Shelby Wilson | Journalist

Kensington Palace is a royal residence that was first occupied by King William III and Queen Mary II after it was built in 1605. King William III and Queen Mary II moved into Kensington Palace on Christmas Eve in 1689. Mary was known for helping renovate the original structure into a home suitable for royals, since before they moved in, it was a smaller house known as Nottingham House. Once they moved in, the pair began their legacy of hosting fabulous balls and Drawing Room sessions (like in Bridgerton). Another thing these two are known for is the university here in the states: William and Mary.

Kensington Palace transformed into the royals favorite residency for the next few decades. As new Monarchs came into place, new additions were added to the estate. In the reign of William and Mary, the King’s Gallery was established, which is also where William fell fatally ill. During Queen Anne’s reign, the gardens of Kensington developed immensely, as well as the Orangery. This became an adored part of Kensington, as it was filled with beautiful decor and plants, and also was a big enough space for parties and Kensington’s Easter ceremony. When Queen Anne died at the palace in 1714, George I stepped into the Monarch position, leading to a large renovation sequence. He was responsible for the addition of royal apartments in the Privy Chamber. On top of this, he added in a Withdrawing Room, the Cupola Room, and grand additions of art when George hired William Kent, an artist and architect, to fill every room with his art and furniture. This blossomed the grounds into having what is known as the “18th-century” appearance that still shows today. One of William Kent’s most famous projects is the King’s Staircase. This staircase is covered in portraits all over the walls, and has remained this way since its creation. 

After King George I, George II came along, and he was the last monarch to reside at Kensington Palace. He did not do many renovations to the palace before his death in 1760. When King George III took his reign, Kensington became a place for minor royalty to reside in. During the 20th century, George V allowed rooms to be given up to Irish soldiers during World War I, and during World War II, the palace was damaged by a German bombing called “the Blitz”. It once had so many royals living there it was nicknamed “the aunt heep”, but after these events it fell into neglect for a while.

Today, Kensington Palace is home to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Prince Harry and Prince William of Wales used to reside there, but have recently moved out.  Princess Diana, also known as “The People’s Princess” used to live at Kensington as well, before her tragic and untimely death. 

Westminster is a London borough where a majority of the United Kingdom’s government can be found. It is also known for many landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and more. The borough was declared a city in 1540 and has grown enormously. It has always been an important part of the United Kingdom’s history and culture, as even in its beginning years, it was home for many royals. While Westminster is a borough within London, the two remain as separate cities officially. 

King Edward the Confessor is the man who began construction in what is now Westminster Abbey. This was the original establishment and from there the city grew. Housing was put in and the community began to include churches, a palace for the government, and more. All of this started in the 11th century, making Westminster over 900 years old. The city is located in Middlesex and is on the River Thames, with Kensington and Chelsea on either side of it.

The palace itself is where the Parliament of the United Kingdom gather to meet, as it is a part of the Houses of Parliament. The two Houses in the system are the House of Commons and the House of Lords. Their governmental work mainly consists of making laws, discussing current affairs, and scrutiny. Many events have happened in Westminster due to its age and history, with one of the major events being a fire within the palace in 1834, which some call “The Burning of Parliament”. Most of the palace was destroyed in the fire and in need of reconstruction, making it into the palace we see today. Nowadays, Westminster is a popular tourist destination because of its architecture, museums, and history. It has also been featured in film, including a famous scene in the tv show “Friends”. 

Question: In your opinion, what architectural achievement is the most impressive in regards to its history and presence in Westminster and Kensington Palace?