Duke of Kent’s Royal Residences Through the Years
Duke of Kent’s royal residences, offering a glimpse into the historic homes of this prominent royal figure.
Since the passing of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, her husband, Prince Edward, now 90, has remained in the public eye, attending family weddings, Wimbledon, and a recent memorial concert for his late wife. The Duke of Kent, a first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Katharine Worsley married in 1961 and had three children: Lady Helen Taylor, Lord Nicholas Windsor, and George Windsor, the Earl of St. Andrews.
The couple were frequent fixtures on the Buckingham Palace balcony during events such as Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot, often seen alongside the Princess of Wales. As working royals, they resided in various royal homes across England, a sign of their active roles within the monarchy.
Coppins: The First Royal Residence
After their wedding, the couple moved into Coppins, a 19th-century country house in Buckinghamshire. Built by John Mitchell, the estate was previously owned by Princess Victoria and later inherited by Prince George, the Duke of Kent. This home marked the beginning of their life together as a married couple and working royals.
They lived at Coppins until 1972, when they relocated to York House at St. James’s Palace. The property was sold in 1977, marking the end of their association with this historic residence.
York House: A Georgian Wing at St. James’s Palace
Constructed in the 1730s for Frederick, Prince of Wales, York House is a Georgian wing attached to St. James’s Palace. It has housed several royals, including King George V and King Edward VIII, making it a significant part of royal history. The Kents used this estate as their London base from the early 1970s until 1997.
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Anmer Hall: A Country Retreat
From 1972 to 1990, the couple used Anmer Hall, a ten-bedroom Georgian manor on the Sandringham Estate, as a country home. Despite finding it “too big,” the Duke later expressed regret over leaving the property, highlighting its significance to them. In 2011, Queen Elizabeth II gifted Anmer Hall to Prince William and Kate Middleton after their wedding.
The couple oversaw a $2 million renovation by designer Ben Pentreath and architect Charles Morris, adding a glass-lined conservatory with a pergola and an outdoor swimming pool. These improvements transformed the property into a modern yet historic retreat.
The couple also owned Crocker End House, a Victorian Gothic Revival manor in Oxfordshire, built in the mid-19th century. Featuring steep gables, pointed windows, and set within roughly 30 acres of woodland, it served as a countryside retreat. They put the house up for sale in 1996 and sold it in the late 1990s.
In 2002, the Duchess purchased The Old Forge, a three-bedroom, Grade II-listed estate in Brightwell Baldwin, for £540,000. This former metal workshop underwent modernization before being sold in 2017.
Since 1997, Wren House at Kensington Palace has served as the primary residence of the Duke of Kent. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, this two-story, five-bedroom dwelling features a traditional brick exterior, sash windows, and a white-picket fence. As of 2026, it remains his home, symbolizing his enduring connection to the royal family and their history.
