Taking advantage of the intermittent period to be more creative and experimental than previous exhibitions, WILDWORKS has produced an interactive treasure hunt for the visitor. The journey through the lives of the Princesses is illustrated with historical items from the Royal Collection successfully displayed alongside extraordinary interventions by contemporary artists and designers – from ancient porcelain, tiaras and a head bust of Isaac Newton, commissioned by Princess Caroline, to dresses designed by Vivienne Westwood and the installation A Dress for Dreaming of Freedom by William Tempest (see above). Narrating your experience are Historic Royal Palaces' invaluable and informative custodians and period actors who whisper the stories of past residents as if they are a part of the woodwork. Rewarding your quest to find the name of each princess are also the poems of Mercedes Kemp. These are short and accessible, subtly hinting at the trials and tribulations each princess is said to have experienced, adding another dimension to your educational visit.

 

Visitors begin by climbing the private back stairs to emerge in Queen Mary II’s bedchamber, the same room she died in and, according to my guide, where several other ghosts are said to reside. This room has been dubbed the ‘Room of Royal Sorrows’. It is luxuriously dark and melancholy with an installation of hundreds of lachrymatory bottles that indicate Mary spent much of her time crying because she was never able to produce an heir.

 

Another favourite was ‘Room of a Sleeping Princess’. Here lies Queen Victoria’s tale; that of a girl never allowed to walk down stairs or sleep at night without the hand or eye of a governess for fear that something should happen to the future Queen of England. A fantastical room containing a bed of mattresses piled high to the ceiling and that of an equally high supervising chair implied an over-bearing upbringing and the unhappy childhood that Victoria often referred to.

 

Transformed with lighting, theatre, poetry, audio diaries, art and a bit of mysticism, each bedchamber, dance hall and galley truly is enchanting. Though much of the history is creatively alluded to and might somewhat simplify the rich and complicated lives of these women, Kensignton Palace proves its story is worth telling. I strongly recommend a visit.

 

Kensington Palace will remain ‘enchanted’ until January 2012
 

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