In WW1 the palace was used for offices to support charitable enterprises, and was closed until 1923, when it reopened to the public. There was some bomb damage in WW2, and after repairs the palace was opened again in 1949. The Museum of London was established in Kensington Palace in 1911 in the State Rooms, and in 1914 moved to Lancaster House, then returned for another 25 years and is now located in the City of London.

Notable persons who have lived in Kensington Palace

Marquis of Lorne, married to Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter, lived in Kensington Palace; he had been Governor General of Canada, Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle and Duke of Argyll. He and Princess Louise lived at Kensington Palace until his death from pneumonia in 1914.

In 1981, apartments Eight and Nine were combined together for the residence of HRH Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana. After the divorce she continued in the “family home” with their children, the Princes William and Harry. After her death in 1997, her coffin was in Kensington Palace for the night before her funeral at Westminster Abbey.

In 2008: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent have lived in the 5 bedroom, 5 reception room Apartment Ten, previously subsidised and valued at ₤120,000 a year, but paid ₤70 a week; the Queen had been paying the subsidy of ₤10,000 a month but Parliament has demanded this be changed.

The Duke and Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, also occupy apartments in Kensington Palace. Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge have a more modest apartment than the one he grew up in at Kensington Palace.