The Waleses and the famous London home they’ve made their own

From meeting at university to a royal wedding in front of thousands, the world has watched the relationship between the Prince and Princess of Wales from the very beginning. While their personal lives and fashion interest many, there is another aspect of their lives that many find intriguing – their home at Kensington Palace.

In the heart of London, Kensington Palace is considered the ‘official residence’ of the Prince and Princess. It is where they conduct all their royal business. Famously, it’s where they met with former U.S. President Barack Obama and then-First Lady Michelle Obama for a low-key gathering in 2016. Many may remember the photos of a young Prince George in a bathrobe as he met Obama.

While the home is “technically” an apartment, its size might say otherwise. It is rumoured the Waleses’ apartment, Apartment 1A, has 20 rooms, four storeys, drawing rooms, and several reception rooms. That’s not all; there is also a fleet of staff bedrooms, an elevator, a walled garden, and a gym. Talk about having a bit of everything!

During the pandemic and when virtual engagements were a norm, many could get a tiny glimpse of their apartment during Zoom calls. Some features that could be seen included pictures, warm-coloured walls, and pastel wallpaper.

Today, the Waleses don’t live at the apartment full time. Because they wanted their kids to have a “normal upbringing,” they often spend time at their other residences like Anmer Hall – the country home on the Sandringham Estate was a wedding gift from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This is also where the family spent the majority of their time during the pandemic.

In 2022, the Wales family moved to Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor Castle. Windsor is where Queen Elizabeth II had been living full-time since March 2020, when the pandemic began. The family still owns their London property and stays there when there are royal engagements in the capital.