The statue of Queen Victoria in front of Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace is located at the end of Kensington Gardens. It was originally called "Nottingham House".
In 1689, William and Mary moved into the palace from White Hall for the management of the King's asthma. That time, Christopher Wren was in charge of the refurbishment. Since then, many royal members have lived at the palace.
Queen Victoria was born in the palace where she spent her childhood. Moreover, she asseced the throne at the palace.
Recently, many people know that Princess Dianna lived there. I remember that many flowers were put in front of the palace by people who mourned her death. She moved into No.8 and 9 apartment in the palace 5 weeks before she gave birth to her first child, Prince William. Kensington Palace is extensive. When she started to live there, Princess Margaret, the Duke and Duchess Gloucester, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent also lived there. Her apartment was refurbished twice, when she started to live with Prince Charles, and when he moved out.
About fifteen years ago, I visited Kensington Palace for the first time. It was my first private trip with my co-worker. I really wanted to see the statue of Peter Pan, so we visited Kensington Gardens and came across the palace by accident. On that day, Kensington Palace wasn't so busy, probably because many travelers didn't know about the palace. As far as I can remember, the entrance was different from the current one. We were called in by two men who weemed to be gate-keepers, and entered the palace. That time, the entrance fee was only two pounds fifty, about five hundred yen. It was 1/4 of the current fee, so we entered without thinking. They asked us, "Is it your first trip to England?". When they heard my answer, "It is my second trip", they were surprised and said, "You are rich! We've never been to Japan. Ha ha ha"
After that, almost every year, I visit England and go to Kensington Gardens to see the statue of Peter Pan. For a while, I always passed by Kensington Palace because I had entered once. However, after a long interval, in 2002, I felt like entering the palace again. The fee was about ten pounds. Upon seeing this, I gave up because I thought that it was a little too expensive.

In 2004, I visited Kensington Gardens with my motner and father. I said to them, "We've come here, so why don't we enter Kensington Palace?" Thus, I entered once again.

left : Around the entrance of Kensington Palace ; the middle and right : the gardens in Kensington Palace.

I can only remembered that many court clothes were displayed inside when I entered for the first time. However, in 2004, when I entered again, apart from the court clothes, many of Princess Dianna's clothes were also displayed. Moreover, we could see some parts of the palace. My parents and I thought ten pounds was reasonable. We satisfied with our visit.

(2005.4.16)

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