There’s an exciting calendar of events at the collection of six royal palaces for this autumn and into the New Year. We take a look at the highlights.

Historic Royal Palaces is the independent charity that looks after the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace, Kew Palace and Hillsborough Castle. Its aim is to help everyone explore the story of how monarchs and people have helped shape society in some of the greatest palaces ever built. Every season the palaces stage imaginative events and activities to engage the minds of adults and children. Here’s a selection we think will appeal to your groups.

KENSINGTON PALACE
Kensington Palace sits in Kensington Gardens in West London. It has been a residence of the British royal family since the 17th century, and is the official London residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. The Fashion Rules at Kensington Palace features exhibits including dresses worn by The Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales. This exhibition runs until the first week of January 2017.

In December you can enjoy a Victorian Christmas celebration at Kensington Palace, the childhood home of Queen Victoria. with festive decorations throughout the palace and gardens from December 3 to January 1. Join in the seasonal celebrations with talks, music, a lantern-making workshop, special tours, and seasonal food and drink from December 27 to January 1.

EVENTS
Royal Chapels: Past and Present December 7, 10am to 4pm Learn the secrets of the past and present royal worship from the chaplains responsible for the religious wellbeing of the royal family with a talk at Kensington Palace and exclusive tours of the private royal chapels at St. James’s Palace and The Tower of London. Tickets: £85 / £78 Historic Royal Palaces members. The Rise of Christmas Shopping December 3, 11am Kensington Palace Explore the development of the festive shopping period, from window displays and advertising to the gifts given and received by Queen Victoria with historian Professor Mark Connelly. Tickets: £15 / £12 Historic Royal Palaces members, including a glass of bucks fi zz