Inside Kensington Palace: Explore the Royal Family’s Storied Home

The story of Kensington Palace begins in 1605 , when Sir George Coppin built a stately country home in the rural outskirts of London .

The estate passed through several aristocratic hands before ending up in the possession of the Earl of Nottingham in 1619 .

In 1688 , King James II was deposed in the bloodless “glorious revolution” His daughter Mary and her husband, William of Orange , were offered the throne in February 1689 .

Queen Mary II died of smallpox at the palace in December 1694 .

In 1702 , Queen Anne , younger sister of Queen Mary , became the new mistress.

The King’s Staircase mural features 45 contemporary members of the Kensington Palace household.

During the reign of George II , life at the palace was akin to the set of a posh soap opera.

It was also packed with people, since Queen Caroline opened the gardens, which she greatly improved, to the masses.

Queen Victoria saved Kensington Palace from destruction as it fell further into disrepair in the late 19th century .

Queen Victoria’s daughters Beatrice and Louise would spend their adult lives in separate apartments in Kensington .