Each king or queen literally set their stamp on their palaces either with their coat of arms, or, in later times, with their monogram.  William and Mary’s intertwined ‘W’ and ‘M’ appear in the elaborate doorhood over the Queen’s entrance to Kensington Palace; an ‘E’ for Elizabeth appears in the part of Hampton Court Palace overlooking the knot garden that she rebuilt.  Some made major changes to palace buildings. 

Transforming Kensington palace

In the early 19th century, the ground floor of Kensington Palace was transformed for the Duke of Kent, and the columns in his saloon supported the sagging floor of the Cupola Room above.  In 1812 the Duke had to flee to the continent to avoid his creditors.   The rooms at Kensington with a Victorian atmosphere include those re-arranged in the early 20th century by Queen Mary.