Prince William, Kate Middleton: Which Historic Palace Will They Choose to Live In?
Prince William and Kate Middleton have the task of deciding where they want to live following their April 29 nuptials at Westminster Abbey. At the head of their list is Kensington Palace, but St. James and Buckingham Palaces are also possibilities. All three locations have long histories dating back centuries.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace (originally known as Nottingham House) was built in 1605 and purchased by King William III from the Earl of Nottingham in 1689. Work began immediately to make improvements on the palace. It was during this time that three State rooms, the Cupola, the Privy Chamber, the Withdrawing Room, and the King's staircase was built.
The King's staircase, in all its grand glory, was used by the King and visitors to the palace. The staircase led to the King's State Apartments. Paintings by William Kent of King George I's 18th century court, including the Polish page Ulric and "the wild boy" Peter (among others), are painted on the walls along the stairwell and the ceilings above.
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales lived at Kensington Palace following their wedding. The Princess of Wales lived there following her divorce from Charles in 1996 and a memorial made of a large granite block structure is located at the palace.
With its long passageways and numerous gardens, Kensington Palace is said to be "a paradise for children."
The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester currently live at Kensington Palace.
St. James Palace
Kings and Queens called St. James Palace home for more than 300 years and, prior to 1837 when Queen Victoria made the move to Buckingham Palace, was the official residence of the Sovereign. The historic palace was built by King Henry VIII and to this day, the gatehouse at the southern end of St. James Street bears his royal cypher, HR, and is surmounted by his crown.
Queen Anne (Boleyn) stayed at the palace the night of her coronation and Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy died at the palace in 1536. It was at St. James Palace that Henry VIII's daughter Mary signed the treaty surrendering Calais in 1558.
In 1809, fire destroyed much of the east and south ranges of the palace and the State rooms were restored by 1813.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, with its 775 rooms, sounds quite roomy; however, of those rooms, 19 are State rooms, 188 bedrooms are for staff, there are 92 offices in the palace, 78 bathrooms, and just 52 bedrooms for the Royal Family and guests. Royal ceremonies, Investitures, and State visits are held at the palace.
The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and Prince William were christened in the palace's Music Room.
Following their marriage, Prince William and his bride will most likely reside with Prince Harry at Clarence House.
Clarence House was built in 1837 for then-Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and was the home of The Queen Mother from 1953 until her death in 2002. Currently, The Prince of Wales, his wife The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Prince Harry live there.
The newlyweds will most likely continue dividing their time between London and Anglesey where they have a cottage for the first two years of their marriage.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace (originally known as Nottingham House) was built in 1605 and purchased by King William III from the Earl of Nottingham in 1689. Work began immediately to make improvements on the palace. It was during this time that three State rooms, the Cupola, the Privy Chamber, the Withdrawing Room, and the King's staircase was built.
The King's staircase, in all its grand glory, was used by the King and visitors to the palace. The staircase led to the King's State Apartments. Paintings by William Kent of King George I's 18th century court, including the Polish page Ulric and "the wild boy" Peter (among others), are painted on the walls along the stairwell and the ceilings above.
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales lived at Kensington Palace following their wedding. The Princess of Wales lived there following her divorce from Charles in 1996 and a memorial made of a large granite block structure is located at the palace.
With its long passageways and numerous gardens, Kensington Palace is said to be "a paradise for children."
The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester currently live at Kensington Palace.
St. James Palace
Kings and Queens called St. James Palace home for more than 300 years and, prior to 1837 when Queen Victoria made the move to Buckingham Palace, was the official residence of the Sovereign. The historic palace was built by King Henry VIII and to this day, the gatehouse at the southern end of St. James Street bears his royal cypher, HR, and is surmounted by his crown.
Queen Anne (Boleyn) stayed at the palace the night of her coronation and Henry VIII's illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy died at the palace in 1536. It was at St. James Palace that Henry VIII's daughter Mary signed the treaty surrendering Calais in 1558.
In 1809, fire destroyed much of the east and south ranges of the palace and the State rooms were restored by 1813.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, with its 775 rooms, sounds quite roomy; however, of those rooms, 19 are State rooms, 188 bedrooms are for staff, there are 92 offices in the palace, 78 bathrooms, and just 52 bedrooms for the Royal Family and guests. Royal ceremonies, Investitures, and State visits are held at the palace.
The Prince of Wales, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and Prince William were christened in the palace's Music Room.
Following their marriage, Prince William and his bride will most likely reside with Prince Harry at Clarence House.
Clarence House was built in 1837 for then-Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence (later King William IV) and was the home of The Queen Mother from 1953 until her death in 2002. Currently, The Prince of Wales, his wife The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, and Prince Harry live there.
The newlyweds will most likely continue dividing their time between London and Anglesey where they have a cottage for the first two years of their marriage.
Yahoo News
Posted at 9:40 PM EDT on Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011
Posted at 9:40 PM EDT on Saturday, Apr. 23, 2011
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