Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The unicorn of Scotland on the southern gates of Kensington Palace.
The unicorn joined the English lion as a supporter of the royal coat of
arms when James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603.
In April 1811 Jane wrote, 'I had a pleasant walk in Kensington Gs on Sunday with Henry,
Mr Smith & Mr Tilson - everything was fresh & beautiful.'
Perhaps it was this excursion she had in mind when, in
Sense and Sensibility
, Mrs Jen-
nings and Elinor meet Miss Steele there.
[It was] so beautiful a Sunday as to draw many to Kensington Gardens, though it was only the second
week in March. Mrs Jennings and Elinor were of the number; but Marianne, who knew that the Wil-
loughbys were again in town, and had a constant dread of meeting them, chose rather to stay at home,
than venture into so public a place.
In Jane's day Kensington Palace was home to various members of the royal family, includ-
ing Princess Caroline, the estranged wife of the Prince Regent. He stopped their daughter,
Princess Charlotte, visiting her here when he discovered she had frequently been left un-
chaperoned with a gentleman.
There is a collection of lavish court dress and the royal staterooms are open to the public,
including the bedchamber where Princess Victoria was told she had become queen - the
day the Georgian era ended.
