Snapshots of Kensington Palace in 1689, Kensington Palace Was a Two‐Story Villa Known As Nottingham House

Snapshots of Kensington Palace In 1689, Kensington Palace was a two‐story villa known as Nottingham House. William III and Mary II chose it as their country retreat. The original building was the mansion owned and built by Sir George Coppin in 1605 in the village of Kensington. Other monarchs who followed turned it into a stately home for the royals. Queen Caroline concentrated not only on adding to the palace, but also its gardens. In 1837, she left Kensington Palace to live in Buckingham Palace. Alexandrina Victoria (Queen Victoria) was born in 1819 to King George III's fourth son Edward, Duke of Kent and his wife, German duchess, Victoire. Edward died soon after the birth, leaving his wife the Duchess to raise Victoria alone. When Victoria was 18 years of age, she assumed the role of Queen of England after the death of her uncle William IV. Queen Victoria died on January 22, 1901 of a cerebral hemorrhage. She was five feet tall. And was married to Albert Prince Consort (1840‐1851). Kensington has provided habitation for several members of the royal family.

"Queen Victoria at Osborne" 1867‐74 by Gilbert Sprague After Landseer Lent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

"The composition of this painting caused a scandal when it was shown in 1867. It seemed to confirm the rumours of an affair with her servant John Brown. The box of political papers on the ground also implied that Victoria was neglecting her duties. This was not the Queen's intention. She wished to show despite her grief, she was carrying on with her duties."

Sources: Tour of Kensington and https://www.hrp.org.uk/kensington‐palace/history‐and‐stories/the‐story‐of‐ kensington‐palace/#gs.x02zkd acuri.net John R. Vincenti Snapshots of Kensington Palace, England