Independent charity Historic Royal Palaces is undertaking a £12 million major project called 'Welcome to Kensington – a palace for everyone' to transform and re-present Kensington Palace by 2012.

While this work is being carried out, the charity has invited us to cast a WILDWORKS spell over the palace, creating a mysterious and atmospheric world for visitors to explore, and bringing the hidden stories of the historic royal residence dramatically to life.

"...She grew up quite the wild child Climbing up trees with her skirts Tucked into her knickers, Riding horses bareback And running Always running Towards the gates Of the forest house, Or dancing in the woods Alone?...". Mercedes Kemp 'Charlotte At The King's Staircase'	THE MAKERS
	CREATIVE PROCESS

In the sumptuous State Apartments, leading fashion designers Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Boudicca, Aminaka Wilmont and illustrator / set designer Echo Morgan, will each create spectacular installations in collaboration with WILDWORKS artists, taking inspiration from Kensington Palace and the princesses who once lived there - Mary, Anne, Caroline, Charlotte, Victoria, Margaret and Diana.

The complex and mysterious world of the royal court will be opened up through dreamlike installations, interactive theatre, intimate storytelling, soundscapes and haunting projection, revealing tales of love and hate, surprise and sadness, secrets and jealousy.

“This innovative ‘animated exhibition’, set against the backdrop of the magnificent State Apartments, offers a truly unique opportunity to discover the hidden stories of Kensington Palace. Featuring specially commissioned contemporary fashion installations woven into fascinating tales from the palace’s history, The Enchanted Palace will enable visitors to explore the extraordinary lives of Kensington’s former royal residents.”

Historic Royal Palaces’ Curator Alexandra Kim 

"...They pile mattresses on the Princesses bed

Until it's so high

it nearly reaches the ceiling

and they build a chair for the watching governess

that is tall and spindly

so that she may read and watch

the sleeping princess

She won't get away now..."

Mercedes Kemp 'The Sleeping Princess 

The Enchanted Palace opens 26 March 2010 at Kensington Palace and runs until June 2012. For information on opening hours and ticket prices, please visit www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace. Supported by the Members of Historic Royal Palaces.