Palace facilities

Health and safety

• Our palaces are very old and have many uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions.
• Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain.
• Light levels can be low in some places, so please allow sufficient time for your eyes to adjust, particularly when using stairs.
• In some of our gardens we have steep slopes and drops from height, so please be aware of these, especially if you have children with you.
• Where water features are present, please ensure children are supervised at all times.
• Look out for our safety signs and follow the advice given to avoid spoiling your day.

Photography

Visitors are welcome to take photographs without flash within Kensington Palace. However, filming and panoramic photography is not permitted.

Historic Royal Palaces has a photography policy that applies to media / commercial photography. When taking photographs at our site, you may be approached by our staff and asked about the purposes of your photography or filming. Historic Royal Palaces reserves the right to request you stop your activities if these are believed to be in breach of the policy.

The photography of certain, individual items may not be allowed due to loan arrangements. Please ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.

Commercial and media photography

Requests for commercial and media photography, filming and sketching should be made in advance by contacting our Media and PR Team.

Photographic equipment

Equipment such as tripods, monopods, selfie sticks (interiors) and gimbals may not be used at the site unless arrangements have been made in advance with our Media and PR or Conservation teams.

Wedding photography

Wedding photography is exclusive to couples hiring Kensington Palace for their wedding day. To find out more about hiring Kensington Palace for your event, visit our Hire a Venue page.

Other visitors

We ask that you respect the privacy of our other visitors while taking photographs at our site. Historic Royal Palaces is a safeguarding organisation and takes its responsibility to protect children and vulnerable people seriously. We may sometimes ask therefore that visitors refrain from filming or photographing other visitors.

Forbidden Items

In the interest of security, visitors are granted admission to the palace on the condition they may be searched before entering the premises. The following items are strictly banned:

• Weapons
• Fireworks and smoke bombs
• Any other articles intended to cause injury

The following items are unlawful to carry in a public space in the United Kingdom and may be confiscated from you if you attempt to bring them into the palace:

• Knife with a blade over 7.7 centimetres (3 inches)
• Knife with a lockable blade (unless you have a reasonable excuse for having it with you)
• Butterfly knife
• Flick knife
• CS or pepper sprays
• Tasers or any other Electro Shock weapon