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Dinners and receptions

Our palace, your place

Our palace, your place

Updated 25 March. In line with Public Health England guidance, we have taken the decision to close all six of our palaces and gardens until 31st May. We will be reviewing this and will keep you updated. Please read our statement for further information. Read our statement

Celebrate in royal style at Kensington Palace

For almost 400 years, Kensington Palace has been home to some of England’s most popular royals, from Queen Victoria to Diana, Princess of Wales. A series of stylish residents and virtuoso artists have left their mark on the palace over the centuries, and the result is part stately home, part work of art.

Nestled in the heart of London and set in its own magnificent grounds, this stunning Baroque palace has spaces to suit events large and small, from intimate drinks receptions to lavish dinners. What finer setting for a celebration to remember?

Owing to the exclusive nature of this venue, we are only able to hold 100 private events per year. We advise that you book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment

Enquire about events at Kensington Palace

The State Apartments

The State Apartments comprise several individual rooms, each with its own unique charms. From the priceless 17th-century tapestries that adorn the Privy Chamber to the Cupola Room’s exquisite tromp l’oeil ceiling, your guests will be spellbound by the State Apartments’ conspicuous displays of royal grandeur. The State Apartments can be used in any combination to suit events of all sizes, from cosy dinner parties to receptions of regal proportions.

Long table set up for dinner in the red King's Gallery at Kensington Palace

The King's Gallery

An imposing image of King Charles on horseback dominates the east end of The King's Gallery, first built to showcase King William III's finest paintings.

Today the palace's largest and longest room is filled with Royal Collection's masterpieces and is popular for receptions and dinners as well as private concerts and recitals.

Capacity

  • Up to 170 guests for drinks receptions
  • Up to 110 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only.

The King's Drawing Room

Fantastic views and spectacular artistry await guests in this wonderfully light and warm room.

The avenues of Kensington Gardens converge outside the chamber's central window, giving guests a vista over Queen Victoria's statue, the Round Pond and the rest of Kensington Gardens.

Capacity

  • Up to 100 guests for receptions
  • Up to 90 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only

The Cupola Room

A setting for countless nights of music, dancing and celebration, this splendidly-decorated room is also where the future Queen Victoria was baptised surrounded by close family. 

Guests look out over the palace's Wiggly Walk, Sunken Garden and the Pavilion.

Capacity

  • Up to 80 guests for receptions
  • Up to 60 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only
View of the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace
The wooden panelled Privy Chamber at Kensington Palace with tapestries on the walls and busts on the far side

The Privy Chamber

Queen Caroline loved entertaining the finest writers, thinkers, artists and scientists of her day here.

Filled with beautiful objects and stories, the Privy Chamber works well for drinks and gatherings before dining in another of the King's State Apartments.

Capacity

  • Up to 50 guests for receptions
  • Up to 36 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only

The Queen's Gallery

The Queen's Gallery is a masterclass in understated elegance. Formerly a domestic space where Queen Mary II and her ladies-in-waiting would practise embroidery, this spacious wood-panelled room is hung with masterful oil paintings and offers stunning views over Kensington Gardens.

The Queen’s Gallery can comfortably accommodate large numbers of guests while retaining its special air of intimacy, making it perfect for celebratory dinners and chic drinks receptions.

Capacity

  • Up to 150 guests for drinks receptions
  • Up to 72 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only

The Pavilion

The Kensington Palace Pavilion, a glass fronted building overlooking the palace’s famous Sunken Garden, replaces the Orangery at Kensington Palace until 2021.

This unique new space provides a truly exclusive and memorable event experience for extravagant gala dinners and evening receptions.

Capacity

  • Up to 800 guests for a standing reception across both rooms
  • Up to 300 guests for a seated dinner, with the option of a separate drinks reception area

Availability

  • Available for evening hire until 2021
  • The Pavilion temporarily replaces the Orangery, which will re-open in 2021 following a major conservation and building project.
Learn more about The Pavilion
Orange trees in a wide open white event space with big French windows on the far side
A floral display stands in the centre of a dramatic marble staircase

The Entrance Hall

The Entrance Hall is a relatively recent addition to the palace. Light, airy and centred around a striking electroluminescent light sculpture, it makes a refreshingly modern counterpart to the historic state rooms and galleries.

Hire of the Entrance Hall includes four separate spaces, making it ideally suited to large dinners and drinks receptions: Stone Hall, Stone Stairs and the Vestibule/Hub.

Capacity

  • Up to 300 guests for receptions
  • Up to 140 guests for dinner

Availability

  • Available for evening hire only

Approved suppliers

Over the years, we’ve worked with some of the best caterers, florists, entertainers and production specialists in the industry.

Whether it’s a cosy dinner or a lavish reception, our approved suppliers will help you deliver an unforgettable experience for your guests.

Find out more about our approved suppliers

Contact us

If you would like to hire Kensington Palace for your dinner or reception, please call our team on +44 (0)20 3166 6115 to discuss your requirements.

Alternatively, you can fill out an enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.

Enquire about a venue

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