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Who lives at Kensington Palace? Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal neighbours revealed

From Kate Middleton to Princess Diana

kate middleton william kensington
Ainhoa Barcelona
Content Managing Editor
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kensington palace inner courtyard obama visit© Photo: Getty Images

Kensington Palace is known for being the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three young children Prince GeorgePrincess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who reside in Apartment 1A. But who else lives at the royal residence in London?

It is either currently or was formerly home to several other members of the royal family, including Princess Diana and Prince Harry. Keep scrolling to see the Duke and Duchess' home and their neighbours...

Apartment 1A - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Kate Middleton and Prince William live in a 20-room, four-storey mansion that previously belonged to Princess Margaret and boasts five reception rooms, three main bedrooms, dressing rooms, a night and day nursery, and staff quarters.

The Cambridges moved from Anmer Hall in Norfolk to Apartment 1A in 2017, just in time for George to start school and Charlotte to enrol in nursery, although they still regularly visit their country house.

PHOTOS: Kate Middleton and Prince William's London home is another scale of luxury

WATCH: Kate Middleton shows off her gorgeous living room as she pays tribute to military families

kate middleton home the obamas© Photo: Getty Images

Here, William, Kate and Harry are pictured with former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle. The Obamas were on an official visit to the UK and welcomed into the Cambridges' family home.

Apartment 1A, which overlooks Hyde Park, was opened up to give 20 rooms instead of the original 30. Modern fittings around the house include underfloor heating, encrypted WIFI, a TV projector and a panic room.

kate middleton office kensington palace

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared photos of their home offices while working from home amid the pandemic. Kate sat on a striped chair in front of a wooden desk with a collection of Penguin Clothbound Classics lined up in front of her.

RELATED: Inside Prince William and Kate's stunning second home, Anmer Hall

kensington palace ivy cottage princess eugenie© Photo: Getty Images

Ivy Cottage – Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank moved into Ivy Cottage a few months before their October 2018 royal wedding. Fans were treated to a glimpse inside the three-bedroom house in October 2019, when Prince Harry and Ed Sheeran filmed a video there for World Mental Health Week.

A black-and-white official portrait from Eugenie and Jack's wedding hangs on the wall in the hallway, showing the couple sat in the carriage after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel. There is a fireplace in the hallway, while a doorway leads through to a lounge, where there is a sofa lined with orange cushions, and candles on display on a shelf.

They have since moved into the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's UK base, Frogmore Cottage, where they live with baby August.

apartment 1© Photo: Getty Images

Apartment 1

Prince Harry and Meghan were said to be moving next door to William and Kate at Apartment 1 before they eventually relocated to Windsor in spring 2019. The property was home to the Queen's cousin the Duke of Gloucester and his wife the Duchess of Gloucester, but the couple, whose three children are grown up, moved out in 2019. They downsized to live at the Old Stables at Kensington Palace.

Apartment 1 boasts 21 rooms and has adjoining doors to William and Kate's house. Royal accounts revealed that refurbishment for the Duke and Duchess' new home cost £400,000. According to the report: "The scheme allows for the complete refurbishment of the property including the old and failing mechanical and electrical systems. The project commenced in January 2019 and is due for completion in summer 2019."

kensington palace prince michael of kent© Photo: Getty Images

Apartment 10 – Prince and Princess Michael of Kent

This five-bedroom, five-reception room apartment is home to Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Princess Michael. The couple have lived in the palace since the seventies and were once neighbours with Diana, Princess of Wales, who lived next door at combined Apartment 8 and 9.

The Kents, who do not undertake duties or engagements for the Queen in an official capacity, came under fire in the 2000s when it was revealed that they do not pay rent. Her Majesty had been paying her cousin's £120,000 rent, while he and his wife only took care of the weekly utility bill.

Members of parliament demanded that they start paying their £10,000-a-month market rate rent in 2002.

MORE: Kate Middleton's plush homes before she was royal revealed

WATCH: The Queen's cousin the Duke of Kent's stunning home at Kensington Palace revealed

duke and duchess of kent© Photo: Getty Images

Wren House – The Duke and Duchess of Kent

Next door to Princess Eugenie and Jack are the Queen's cousin, the Duke of Kent, and his wife Katherine. Their modest two-storey cottage, which once housed palace staff, overlooks a walled garden and is slightly detached from the palace. It was named after Sir Christopher Wren, the palace's chief restorer.

kensington palace apartment princess diana© Photo: Getty Images

Apartment 8 and 9 – formerly occupied by Diana, Princess of Wales

Princess Diana lived in Apartments 8 and 9 even after her divorce from Prince Charles. Her sons Prince William and Prince Harry were raised there and attended nursery and junior school nearby, before going to Eton College.

According to biographer Andrew Morton, the palace was a "children's paradise" with its long passageways, a helicopter pad, and many outdoor gardens, including one on the roof where the family spent many hours.

PHOTOS: Inside Prince William and Prince Harry's childhood home with Princess Diana

kensington palace apartment 8© Photo: Getty Images

Nowadays, the buildings are mainly occupied by palace staff. Apartment 8 is used by Prince William, Kate and Prince Harry for their work projects. The property was renovated for the purpose, and was converted into a newsroom for the day when Kate acted as a guest editor for the Huffington Post in February 2016.

kate middleton kensington palace© Photo: Getty Images

State Apartments – available for rent

The State Apartments of the palace, those that are not open to the public, have long been home to members of the extended royal family. A handful of retired military personnel and staff also live in the apartments.

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