Kensington Palace

[cepe]

I dont believe that either the Duke of Duchess has had anything to say about the refurbishment of the public areas of Kensington Palace. The UK press have as usual muddled the line between private apartments and public areas.

But do agree about the mesh, shiny spider's web thing - horrible.

It would be great to see the difference in the new/proposed layouts because a large part of the previously private gardens has been given over to the public area.

[CarolynHarris]

As I discuss on my website, I really enjoyed visiting the Old Kensington Palace museum in 2009. I will be interested to see the renovated palace next time I am in London

Changing the Experience at Kensington Palace | Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian

[PrincessKaimi]

Warren, thank you for posting that piece in its entirety.

KittyAtlanta, I think it's a stretch to blame Kate for a mesh satellite dish. I mean, seriously, satellite dishes are pretty standard in housing these days and, well, are there really any Brits who disdain the modern? No TV for them? Not even for ball games?

Attractiveness and utility are a trade-off, but both are in the eye of the beholder. Again, mind-boggling that one would think that such a decision were left to anyone but expert engineers, designers and architects.

[Excalibur]

The "satellite dish" that KittyAtlanta is referring to is not a satellite dish per se, but a modern art sculpture that has been installed in one of the interior rooms at KP. It greatly resembles a mesh satellite dish.

Since this refurbishment has been in progress for some time, and these projects are years in the making, I really doubt that Catherine had any influence in the direction or scope of the project, much less the selection of the artists or art objects utilized.

[EIIR]

The 'modern' parts of the KP renovation are at attempt to appeal to a younger demographic who wouldn't otherwise be interested in visiting this kind of building. There are several 'traditional' royal palaces in the UK for people to visit, this is KP's attempt to differentiate itself. It's very different and perhaps not to traditionalists' tastes, but KP has to pay it's own way given that it receives no government subsidy. The only way it can do that is to get more paying customers through the door.

I'd say the chances of Kate having anything whatsoever to do with the renovation are precisely zero.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by KittyAtlanta

Good job on the restoration of the "traditional" areas. Not so keen on the "remodeling" with that very unattractive mesh satellite dish. Kate likes modern, so she probably approved that thing. Ugh. JMO.

William and Kate will be involved in the refurbishment of their new apartment which is only in the "rip out the asbestoes" stage and will not be ready to move into until mid 2013.

Their input into the layout, style and interior decoration of the public rooms of Kensinton Palace is nil! To be honest, I think there would be hell to pay if Kate tried to interfere in something under the control of the Historic Royal Palaces.

[Kataryn]

Originally Posted by MARG

To be honest, I think there would be hell to pay if Kate tried to interfere in something under the control of the Historic Royal Palaces.

But wouldn't she then "use her education" for the sake of the RF and thus do something valuable instead (to quote some members) just go shopping and don't do anything else...

[Grandma828]

The renovation of KP was conceived and planned long before William and Catherine were engaged. They had no input.

[Warren]

Originally Posted by PrincessKaimi

Warren, thank you for posting that piece in its entirety.

Thanks PK, but that's my edited version of the original and longer MailOnline article.
I included what I found interesting and relevant and what I thought would be of interest to members.

Originally Posted by Kataryn

But wouldn't she then "use her education" for the sake of the RF and thus do something valuable...

She studied Art History, not 'Old Royal Palace Rebuilding and Renovation'.

[Mirabel]

I didn't care for the new look for KP.

I found it quite disorienting! I continually had to backtrack to get form one section to another. Also, none of the many pictures were labeled correctly so it was difficult to know who the people were! (Some were recognizable, like Queen Victoria or Disraeli, but others were not).

The courtiers who were gossiping were dramatic, but really didn't work with large groups, because you had to be seated with your ear next to the microphone to distinguish the words! Not practical at all.

The broadsheets were fun, but will need to be replaced constantly.

On the whole I was quite disappointed, and liked it better before!

[LadyoftheLake]

My son and daughter are heading to Europe mid May and by mid June they will be in London (he is now a geologist and is treating his sister to this trip). Kensington Palace is one of the attractions they will be seeing. After reading the above I'll be sure to ask them what they thought of the exhibitions there. However being that they are from Western Canada, where castles are somewhat rare , I have a feeling they won't be too critical and I hope they will have a better understanding of the BRF afterwards (I'm positive their education wasn't as extensive as previous generations re the BRF).

Can one take photographs whilst in KP?

[ElisabethChristine]

Photography is not permitted in Kensington Palace, unfortunately. I did not care at all for the "new look" - it has lost that gorgeous unique ambience it had previously. I did appreciate the quality of exhibits from the Royal Collection and the Museum of London, many of which I was familiar with. But I did find the visit disappointing, compared to what I experienced in previous years before the make-over.

[Tudur rose]

Originally Posted by ElisabethChristine

Photography is not permitted in Kensington Palace, unfortunately. I did not care at all for the "new look" - it has lost that gorgeous unique ambience it had previously. I did appreciate the quality of exhibits from the Royal Collection and the Museum of London, many of which I was familiar with. But I did find the visit disappointing, compared to what I experienced in previous years before the make-over.

Oh really .... I love the new look . Much more family friendly . The children and I had a wonderful few visits this summer and the outside area is so much more opened up . The lovely grassy banks to sit on and the walkways with flowers above . And the outside area for the new coffee shop is really good idea . I loved the exhibitions too . As its on my doorstep I will be in their all the time .

[Dman]

Queen to hire out William and Kate's Kensington Palace garden:
Queen to hire out William and Kate's Kensington Palace garden - London - News - London Evening Standard