Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens. It began as a simple two-story Jacobean mansion built in 1605 and was purchased by William and Mary shortly after they assumed the throne as joint monarchs in 1689. It remains the official London residence of several members of the royal family, most notably the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry. Today, the State Rooms are open to the public following a major renovation in 2012. Visitors can also see numerous cutting edge exhibits including gowns, antique furniture, and other memorabilia of palace residents.