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.

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.

We have found the stories of the Palace incredibly inspiring, they’re like true fairy tales - the rebellious princess, who was so universally loved that, when she died in childbirth, London ran out of black mourning fabric; the little sickly prince who played peashooters with his uncle, the king; the court that kept a wild feral boy as a pet; the young princess who wept for three days when told she had to marry a man twice her age; the two friends who had a quarrel that caused deaths, changed the fortunes of great families and the map of Europe. It’s such rich material for art and theatre – and to be exploring these stories in the rooms where they took place is thrillingBill Mitchell WILDWORKS Artistic Director

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 

 
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.