Kensington Palace is not only the private residence for several members of the Royal Family, it also has designated areas that are open to the public

A royal residence since 1689, today's visitors can explore
------'The Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection'
------------a unique presentation of royal, court and ceremonial dress
------------dating from the 18th century to the present day
------The Diana, Princess of Wales Dress Collection
------------which includes a new display of fourteen evening gowns worn by Diana
------The King's Apartments
------The Queen's Apartments
------The Orangery and Sunken Gardens where the Palace Restaurant is situated and
------The Victorian Rooms

Tanya's ticket

Another early start - to Kensington Palace
We got on the bus and headed to Hi St Ken.

The Palace and statue of Queen Victoria------ The Palace

We were a bit early so we went and got a coffee, my fave - grande extra hot caramel macchiato from Starbucks - there is nothing like it - and walked through Kensington Gardens to the Palace (Note - click on this link)

I had prebooked so we didn't have to queue.

Emma, Tanya, Leslie, Tracey and Kristina

I picked up the tickets and we went and found a bench and waited for Emma, and Kristina and Tracey.

(two photos)----Tanya in the Palace gardens

......and here she is again (two photos) plus details on the headscarf and necklace

Kristina was late because of Sunday buses but it was nice to just be in the lovely gardens

One of the squirrels

and watch the tourists go a bit nuts over the squirrels (they could also keep me entertained for hours)

The Palace guide and "What to See"

Once in we picked up our audio guides and wandered around.

The guide was great and there was lots said about the ettiquette of the day and debutante presentations to the Kings and Queens and traditions.

There was a collection of the Queen's dresses there as well, even her uniform from when she was in the army, and from when she was younger and so glamorous and the dresses had such tiny waists!

We kept going through and to my surprise we were met by a guide who took us through Princess Margaret's rooms.

It was lovely to have a guide.

They took us into the kitchen and dining room and offices and garden conservatory.

The history and the interesting little things that a guide can tell you definately make a difference when you are standing in an empty room!!

Then we went through some other rooms and we were told of the poor princess who out of eighteen pregancies had no child live older than eleven years - how tragic.

The view over the gardens

The views from the rooms were lovely too - out over Kensington Gardens and the Round Pound.

I was surprised to learn also that amongst others Princess Michael of Kent (who hands the women's trophy out at Wimbledon each year) still lives in the Palace.

A postcard showing one of Diana's dresses

Then came my favourite bit - Di's dresses!!
There were fifteen in total and they were stunning!!
The commentry told us about the beading and there were pictures of her wearing them and I could have stayed in there for hours - she was so beautiful.

Anyway, we headed off to the shop - you know I can't help myself and the girls all brought teacups and saucers for their mothers/grandmothers.

*** Present for my Mum ***

"Tea and Conversation"

Seeing as how my Mum has a weird attachment to those things I did think about it, but them I found something way way way better so that will be on its way by the end of the week!!

---Postcards from Tanya---

......and the book Tanya bought about Diana, Princess of Wales

I also brought a couple of postcards and a little book on Di.

Another lovely day.

Tanya.