Once upon a time...

...seven princesses lived in an enchanted palace. Their secrets and histories have been magically brought to life in the rooms of Kensington Palace’s State Apartments by theatre company WILDWORKS. Follow the clues as you explore the tales of the real princesses who the palace was once home to. The whisperings of servants long-gone will guide you through tales of love, hate, surprise, sadness and jealously, which have been depicted through theatre, art and film.

The room of Royal Sorrows is Queen Mary II’s bedchamber, Aminaka Wilmont has created a dress of tears, which hangs in this room symbolising, through the tradition of collecting tears, the sadness that neither she nor her sister Anne were able to have children.

 

Queen Victoria’s bedroom is where the young princess went to sleep one night and woke up as Queen. Designer William Tempest’s origami ‘Dress for dreaming of freedom’ plays on the trick of the eye effect as it merges into the background, and evokes the feelings of independence and power Victoria felt at the time.

In the Kings Drawing Room Echo Morgan’s cabinet of curiosities draws on the passions of Queen Mary III and Caroline of Ansbach to collect exotic objects. Every draw, door and compartment can be opened to reveal intriguing historical pieces. Equally fascinating is Echo's 'Dress of the world,’ made from paper and printed maps.

In the council chamber you’ll find the dresses of Princess Diana and Princess Margaret encased in glass, themed around the dancing - a passion shared by both.

The piece de resistance though can be found in the final room – the Queen’s Gallery, where silhouettes of princesses and their princes dance around the shadowy, ethereal ballroom.

The exhibition is on until January 2012 and there will be themed events and activities running throughout.

21 May, 18 June, 16 July and 20 August – see the Enchanted Palace by night (last entry 8pm)

3-6 June – create your own cabinet of curiosities (5-13 year olds)

3-4 July – The Big Dance workshops and free dance classes

Visit http://www.hrp.org.uk/