The Duke of Kent & Kensington Palace
Although Kensington Palace was the official residence of Edward, Duke of Kent, and the birthplace of his daughter, the future Queen Victoria, his attempts to repair and renovate the building, explains Olivia Brand, met with only limited success.
'As I am to move today this house to Kensington Palace for good, you will oblige me very particularly by letting me have your cart and horse at my disposal from this time (half past 7) till dark to move my baggage.' With this modest request to 'William Forsyth, head gardener at Kensington, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, moved himself and Julie de Saint Laurent, his mistress of some twelve years standing, into the apartments at Kensington Palace which had been allocated to him five years earlier. And, no doubt, at this point, all those responsible for the fabric of the Palace, for building and decoration there, and for providing the money required, sighed with relief and congratulated themselves on the successful completion of a long and difficult task. How little did they know His Royal Highness!
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