Kensington Palace was bought by William III and Mary II shortly after they took the throne from Mary's father, James II, in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

They bought the palace, then known as Nottingham House in the village of Kensington, as an escape from the damp palace of Whitehall. This move placed Kensington at the heart of Britain's court life during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was used as a home for the monarch through to the regin of George III.

The favourite country retreat of both George I and George II, Kensington saw the first political manoeuvrings towards our present day constitutional monarchy.

In the 19th century, Kensington was the home of the young Queen Victoria. She was christened in the Cupola room and continued to live in the palace up until she became queen in 1837.

It was here, at Kensington, that Victoria first met her future husband, Prince Albert, and held her first Privy Council meeting as queen. Victoria also opened up the palace to the public for the first time in 1898.

More recently residents have included the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, and, of course, Kensington was Princess Diana's former home.

Now Kensington is being transformed. Read on to find out more about our plans for this fantastic royal residence.