Whether we live in the UK or not, it is likely that most of us know Kensington Palace and have visited this monumental establishment or wish to visit it in the future. One of London’s primary landmarks, Kensington Palace is a tourist attraction that visitors to the country are unlikely to miss out on. But, before you put your comfy shoes on and head off on an official tour, do you really know anything about the history of Kensington Palace or about the structure itself? Here are 5 Kensington Palace facts:
1. Kensington Palace tours are handled by the Historic Royal Palaces – an independent charity organisation that aims to educate the public about Kensington Palace and other historic landmarks in the UK.
2. Mary of Modena’s bed is the oldest bed in the Historic Royal Palaces collection as it is said to date back to 1650. This bed in Kensington Palace was highly controversial as it was said to be the place where Mary gave birth in 1688. Many enemies of the King believed that she suffered a miscarriage and another baby replaced the child that did not live in order to provide the public with a prince.
3. Queen Mary and William III both died at Kensington Palace. Queen Mary died of smallpox in 1694 and William died shortly after falling off his horse in 1702 and was brought to Kensington Palace to heal, but sadly passed soon after.
4. Kensington Palace had an array of nicknames but one of the strangest remains “Aunt Heap” This obscure name was given by Edward VIII to the royal address owing to the number or royal residents living there at that particular time.
5. The sunken Garden in the Kensington Palace grounds which was originally planted in 1908 consists of a variety of flowers including tulips, pansies and wallflowers in the cooler months and begonias, cannas and geraniums provide a splash of colour in summer.
Estate agents Kensington say that this area is a highly desired area for the wealthy and famous to reside in owing to the fact that houses Kensington are steeped in history and is therefore highly desirable. It seems that these individuals are aiming to live as close as possible to Kensington Palace in the hope that some of its royal ambiance will rub off on them! So if you would like to explore this royal territory, then purchase your tickets for a Kensington Palace tour and take an insider’s look into the lives of the blue blooded.
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