The original early 17th-century building was constructed in the village of Kensington as Nottingham House for the Earl of Nottingham.
  The Palace was improved and extended by Sir Christopher Wren with pavilions attached to each corner of the central block.  Wren re-oriented the house to face west, he built north and south wings to flank the approach, made into a proper cour d'honneur that was entered through an archway surmounted by a clock tower.
It has been a residence of the British Royal Family since the 17th century; more recently it was the official residence of Diana, Princess of Wales, Princess Margaret and of Princess Alice until their deaths.

Some parts of the Palace are open to the public and many ehibitions are held here throughout the year.