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The Royal Compound: A Look Inside Who Actually Lives At Kensington Palace In 2025

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Kensington Palace, a name synonymous with royal history, tragedy, and modern celebrity, remains one of the most enigmatic royal residences in the world. While many assume it’s a public museum, the palace grounds are, in fact, a bustling, multi-generational royal compound. As of late December 2025, the palace complex continues to serve as the official London home for several key members of the British Royal Family, housing everyone from the future King to senior working royals and their extended families.

This historic estate is less a single palace and more a collection of private residences—often misleadingly called "apartments"—that are granted by the monarch. These homes are not just pied-à-terres; they are substantial, private houses tucked away within the palace's secure walls and sprawling gardens. The list of current residents reveals a fascinating cross-section of the monarchy's past and future.

The Current Royal Residents of Kensington Palace: A Complete Roster

The palace complex is divided into numerous private homes, each with its own history and significance. Here is a definitive list of the principal royal figures who currently reside within the palace grounds:

  • TRH The Prince and Princess of Wales (Prince William and Catherine)
    • Residence: Apartment 1A
    • Role: Official London Residence. The Wales family, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, primarily live at Forest Lodge in Windsor, but Apartment 1A remains their main base for official duties in the capital.
    • Biography: Prince William (born 21 June 1982) is the elder son of King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and is first in line to the throne. Catherine (born 9 January 1982) is a full-time working royal, heavily focused on early childhood development.
  • TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (Prince Richard and Birgitte van Deurs)
    • Residence: The Old Stables
    • Role: Full-time working members of the Royal Family, supporting the King through numerous engagements and patronages.
    • Biography: Prince Richard (born 26 August 1944) is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II. He is a trained architect. Birgitte van Deurs (born 20 June 1946) is Danish-born and the Duchess of Gloucester, known for her patronage of medical and welfare organisations. They downsized from the much larger Apartment 1 to The Old Stables in 1999.
  • HRH The Duke of Kent (Prince Edward)
    • Residence: Wren House
    • Role: Senior working royal, holding numerous military appointments and supporting various charitable organisations.
    • Biography: Prince Edward (born 9 October 1935) is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II and the grandson of King George V. He served in the military for 21 years. Wren House is a private, multi-bedroom house on the palace grounds.
  • TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent (Prince Michael and Marie-Christine)
    • Residence: Apartment 10
    • Role: Representational duties on behalf of the Crown, though not funded by the Sovereign Grant. Prince Michael often undertakes work related to his Russian descent.
    • Biography: Prince Michael (born 4 July 1942) is a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, a grandson of King George V. Princess Michael (born 15 January 1945 as Baroness Marie-Christine von Reibnitz) is a European noble. They have famously lived in the 5-bedroom Apartment 10 for decades.
  • HRH Princess Eugenie (Mrs. Jack Brooksbank)
    • Residence: Ivy Cottage (Splits time with Portugal)
    • Role: Non-working royal, but occasionally attends family events.
    • Biography: Princess Eugenie (born 23 March 1990) is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. She and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, have used Ivy Cottage, a three-bedroom house, as their UK base since 2018.

The Misleading Grandeur of 'Apartments' and 'Grace-and-Favour'

The most common misconception about Kensington Palace is the term used to describe the royal homes: "apartments." This term is a historical relic and is far from the modern interpretation of a flat. The residences are, in reality, colossal houses, some with multiple floors and dozens of rooms, designed to house extended royal families and their staff.

Apartment 1A: The Wales Family's London Base

The official London residence of The Prince and Princess of Wales, Apartment 1A, is a prime example of this misleading nomenclature. It is a four-story house with over 20 rooms, complete with a private walled garden. Before William and Catherine moved in, it underwent a multi-million-pound renovation to modernise the structure and remove asbestos, making it suitable for a future King and his young family. Although the family relocated their primary residence to Forest Lodge near Windsor Castle in 2022 for a more private, country-based family life, Apartment 1A remains their vital central London hub for all official and ceremonial duties.

The 'Grace-and-Favour' System

Many of the other royals live in what are known as "grace-and-favour" residences. This is a centuries-old tradition where the reigning monarch grants rent-free accommodation to members of the Royal Family or to those who have served the Crown with distinction. While the residents do not pay rent, they are typically responsible for paying for utilities and interior decoration and maintenance, though the Crown Estate covers major structural repairs. This system explains why non-working royals like Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were permitted to live in the five-bedroom Apartment 10 for so long, though they began paying a commercial rent in the early 2000s after public scrutiny.

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester’s move from the 21-room Apartment 1 to the smaller Old Stables in 1999 was a notable instance of downsizing, reflecting the changing needs and costs associated with maintaining these historic properties.

The Palatial History and Notable Former Residents

Kensington Palace has served as a royal residence for over 300 years, earning the moniker "The Cradle of the Monarchy" for its role in the lives of several key figures. Originally a suburban villa, it was converted into a palace by King William III and Queen Mary II in 1689. It was the favourite residence of the reigning monarch until the death of King George II in 1760.

The palace is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace and childhood home of Queen Victoria, who was born in the palace in 1819 and received the news of her accession there in 1837.

The Legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales

For a modern generation, Kensington Palace is most powerfully associated with Diana, Princess of Wales. She moved into Apartment 8 and 9 following her marriage to the then-Prince Charles and continued to live there after their divorce until her tragic death in 1997. Her residence cemented the palace's image as a home for young, modern royals.

The Sussexes and Other Recent Departures

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, lived in Nottingham Cottage, a small two-bedroom house on the palace grounds, early in their marriage. They moved to Frogmore Cottage in Windsor before their move to North America.

Other notable former residents include Princess Margaret, who lived in Apartment 1A (the current home of the Waleses) following her marriage to Antony Armstrong-Jones, and The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) who lived there briefly before his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II.

Beyond the Royals: The Palace as a Working Estate

While the focus is often on the famous residents, it's important to remember that Kensington Palace is a functioning estate. The total number of people residing within the walls is estimated to be around 50, which includes royal staff, security personnel, and employees of the Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) charity.

The HRP manages the state rooms, which are open to the public, including Queen Victoria's childhood rooms and the King's and Queen's State Apartments. This duality—part public museum, part private, secure royal compound—is what makes Kensington Palace such a unique and historically significant site in London. The continued presence of senior and extended royal family members ensures that this historic estate remains a vital and active part of the British monarchy's operational landscape in 2025.

The Royal Compound: A Look Inside Who Actually Lives at Kensington Palace in 2025
who lives in kensington palace
who lives in kensington palace

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