A Front View of the Royal Palace of Kensington

This view of Kensington Palace from the south east shows the King's Gallery range constructed for King William III in 1695 by Sir Christopher Wren. Groups of courtiers enjoy the gardens. Kensington became a royal residence in 1689 when King William III and Queen Mary II purchased a private country house and commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to enlarge it for their use. For the next 70 years the palace was at the centre of the life and government of the kingdom and played host to the courts of William and Mary, Queen Anne, George I and George II. In the 19th century, Kensington was the birthplace and home of Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria)

1689 1695 1770-80 Birthplace Commissioned Constructed Courtiers Courts Enlarge Purchased Wren

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