Kensington Palace, London
Transformed from a mere suburban mansion into a royal retreat in 1689, Kensington Palace has been a mainstay for monarchs for more than three centuries. Queen Victoria spent her formative years here, as did Princes William and Harry.
• Access to the gardens is free, and includes a bronze statue of Diana, Princess of Wales, in the Sunken Garden, commissioned by her sons in 2017. Enter the palace itself (£25.40) to see magnificent royal apartments, including a recreation of the rooms in which Queen Victoria grew up as a young princess.
Where to stay For a smart hotel choice, try Z Covent Garden. It's a 30-minute tube and walk to Kensington Palace, 16 minutes to Buckingham Palace, and a 25-minute riverside stroll to Westminster Abbey. Rooms from £70; thezhotels.com
Balmoral Castle & Estate, Aberdeenshire
The Balmoral Estate is privately owned rather than a state residence. It was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852, as he judged the original castle too small for a royal household.
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