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William Kate Kensington

November 6, 2011 by · Comments Off on William Kate Kensington 

William Kate KensingtonWilliam Kate Kensington, With no hot water, asbestos in the walls and decades-old electrics, it needs much more than just a lick of paint. But Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace – known as “KP” to the royals – is to become the permanent home of Prince ­William and his wife Kate. The couple will move into the exclusive residence in 2013 after a nine-month-long refurbishment.

Palace officials last night confirmed that the apartment, which was used by Princess Margaret until her death in 2002, will ­become their London base. William has an emotional attachment to KP as it was where he and Prince Harry were brought up by their late mother Diana, in Apartment 8-9.

It has been described as a “children’s ­paradise” with long passageways, ideal for youngsters to rush around in, and ­numerous gardens to play in.

Pilot William’s love of helicopters is said to stem from his days watching them ­landing on the palace’s helipad.

A royal source said: “There are obvious strong emotional ties for William. It means a lot to him that he will be setting up his permanent home so close to where he was brought up by his mother.”

Prince Harry, 27, will also move into a two-bedroom cottage in the grounds, which has often been used by Wills and Kate, both 29. After structural work, Apartment 1A will have two or three ­reception rooms and up to four bedrooms on three floors, providing plenty of room when they start a family.

A royal source said: “William and Kate are looking forward to planning their new home. They will be heavily involved in the design and the choice of furnishings.

“There is a lot of structural work ­needed before it is habitable. There is no hot water and it will need new wiring and piping. The electrics haven’t been changed for 50 years.”

BALMORAL

While the work is done, the couple, who have been staying on the Balmoral estate this ­weekend, will keep their current main home on Anglesey, North Wales.

Prince William is currently serving at the island’s RAF base as a helicopter search-and-rescue pilot. They rent a cottage there for £750 a month.

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