As of 2026, Prince William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, maintain their official London residence at Apartment 1A inside Kensington Palace. While they primarily live at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor for more privacy, Apartment 1A remains their main base when in the city for official duties.
Though Prince William and Kate Middleton have chosen Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park as their "forever home," the couple still retain a place in one of London's most famous properties: Kensington Palace.
As well as being a popular visitor destination, Kensington Palace is the official London residence of TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, The Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are also based in the palace's royal apartments.
The Wales family has taken up residence at Forest Lodge, their new home in the English countryside west of London, which they reportedly hope to make their permanent base.
LIVE: Prince William and Kate welcome German president at London’s Heathrow
What's the difference between Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace is the grand, official London residence and administrative HQ of the monarchy, used for state events, while Kensington Palace is a historic, more intimate royal home in Kensington Gardens, known for housing "lesser" royals and featuring Queen Victoria's history, offering year-round public access to certain parts and gardens, unlike Buckingham's summer-only interior tours. Buckingham is grander and central to national ceremonies, whereas Kensington feels more like a historic apartment complex with beautiful grounds.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced in March 2024 that she was diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January of that year; tests revealed the presence of cancer, leading her to begin preventative chemotherapy, which she completed in the summer of 2024, and she has since been focusing on recovery and gradually returning to public duties, though the specific type and stage of cancer remain private.
Kensington and its neighboring districts have been home to many music legends: Eric Clapton, Madonna, Sting, Robbie Williams, and Elton John have all owned properties in the area. The Holland Park neighborhood of Kensington is sometimes nicknamed "Millionaire's Row" for its concentration of celebrity homeowners.
Windsor Castle is legally owned by the British Crown, held by the reigning monarch, currently King Charles III, "in right of the Crown," meaning it's a state asset, not personal property, with its profits going to the Treasury for national benefit, though the King lives there and uses it as a royal residence, much like Buckingham Palace. While the monarch holds it for the nation, properties like Windsor Castle are part of the "Occupied Royal Palaces" managed for the country, with the Crown Estate handling other vast properties like Windsor Great Park.
Millions of mourners lined the route of the funeral procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey. After the service the cortege made its way to the Spencer family estate at Althorp in Northamptonshire. Diana is buried on the Althorp estate where she spent much of her early life.
What type of surgery did Kate Middleton likely have?
Kate Middleton had planned abdominal surgery in January 2024, initially described as successful and non-cancerous, but later revealed to be for a cancer found during the operation, requiring preventative chemotherapy, though the specific type of cancer or surgery wasn't disclosed, it likely involved organs like the gallbladder, ovaries, or appendix, with experts suggesting a routine procedure unexpectedly revealed malignant cells, not a known cancer beforehand.
Where did Meghan Markle sleep the night before her wedding?
Meghan Markle stayed at the luxurious Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, Berkshire, the night before her wedding to Prince Harry, accompanied by her mother, Doria Ragland, while Prince Harry stayed separately at Coworth Park with Prince William. The historic country house hotel, located near Windsor, offered privacy and amenities like spas, pools, and extensive grounds for the royal bride and her mother to prepare.
While opinions vary and fluctuate, Prince Andrew is consistently ranked as the least popular, largely due to his association with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have also seen significant negative public opinion following their departure from royal duties, particularly in the UK, according to YouGov polls. In contrast, popular figures like Princess Anne, Prince William, and Catherine, Princess of Wales generally have high approval ratings.
Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty (voiced by Mary Costa) is often considered the most classically beautiful Disney princess, with her graceful demeanor and timeless elegance.
Some say the dueling duchesses disliked one another from day one. Others say the war began when the combatants clashed over preparations for Meghan's wedding. Whatever the case, a new poll indicates that when it comes to popularity in the UK, Meghan is no contest for Kate.
Kate and Prince William eat breakfast separately on Christmas Day due to a long-standing royal tradition where the men have a hearty breakfast downstairs while the women eat lighter meals in their rooms to allow more time for hair and makeup before the heavily photographed church service, a custom revealed by former royal chef Darren McGrady, though they dine together for other meals.
Which is more prestigious, Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle?
Windsor Castle is a living piece of history, continuously occupied for over 900 years. It combines fortress architecture, royal apartments, and a functioning chapel. Buckingham Palace, while iconic, is more about ceremonial grandeur and central London symbolism than sheer age and scale.
How much is the entrance fee to Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace State Room ticket prices for summer 2026 (booked in advance) are around £33 for adults (25+), £21.50 for young people (18-24), and £16.50 for children (5-17), with slight increases for on-the-day purchases. A "Royal Day Out" ticket for the Palace, Royal Mews, and King's Gallery costs more but offers savings. Booking ahead is recommended as tickets sell out quickly.
Hamilton Palace near Uckfield in East Sussex is owned by notorious property tycoon Nicholas van Hoogstraten and is bigger than Buckingham Palace, The Sun reports.
