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Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace is a royal residence set in Kensington Gardens. It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century. Today its the official residence of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Duke and Duchess of Kent; and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.
The original early 17th-century building was constructed in the village of Kensington as Nottingham House for the Earl of Nottingham. It was acquired from his heir, who was Secretary of State to William III. A private road was laid out from the Palace to Hyde Park Corner broad enough for several carriages to travel abreast, part of which survives today as Rotten Row. The palace was improved and extended by Sir Christopher Wren.
For seventy years it was the favored residence of British monarchs, but the official seat of the Court was at St. James's which has not been the actual royal residence since the 17th century. Queen Mary died of smallpox in Kensington Palace in 1694. In 1702 William suffered a fall from a horse at Hampton Court and was brought to Kensington Palace, where he shortly died.
After William III's death the palace became the residence of Queen Anne. Wren designed the Orangery for her and a magnificent 30 acre garden was laid out by Henry Wise.The last reigning monarch to use Kensington Palace was George II.
In 1981 apartments 8 and 9 were combined to create the London residence of the newly married Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana, and it remained the official residence of Diana, Princess of Wales after her marriage and until the day of her death. At the moment, Kensington Palace hosts the exhibition "Diana, Princess of Wales by Mario Testino", open to the public since late November 2005. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kensington_Palace)
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