London has a long history with royalty.
The capital has been the seat of British power since Alfred the Great “refounded” it in 886. For well over 1,000 years the city has been home and office for British royalty—and that’s likely how it will stay for the foreseeable future.
Earlier this month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge announced that they will move back to London with their two children in the fall.
Even though the royal family has hidden away in country homes over the past few years, they are no strangers to the British capital. William grew up in London, and Kate grew up just 45 minutes outside the city.
But this time in London will be different than when they lived there before. After university, the couple moved back to the city, becoming fixtures on the nightlife scene and bopping around between fashionable restaurants, bars and shops. Although it wasn’t all fun and games—Kate was employed as an accessories buyer for a local shop while William was flying a helicopter for the Royal Air Force.
When the family moves back to London they will likely hit up a few of their favorite haunts. Here’s where you may be able to spot them in, around and outside of London. And if you're planning a walking tour, consider investing in Kate Middleton's boat shoes or sneakers.
Kensington Palace
No royal visit to London is complete without a stop in Kensington Palace. Will and Kate will be moving back to the palace this fall to live in their royal apartment, which has undergone a $6.5-million renovation. They’ll be in good company, as Kensington Palace is where Prince Harry currently lives.
Buckingham Palace
And when the duke and duchess have to go visit England’s reigning monarch, they will head to Buckingham Palace. If/when William becomes king, the family will likely move to Buckingham—it’s where the ruling monarch has lived since 1837. Although it’s still a functioning palace, much of Buckingham is open to the public for daily tours.
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey is, famously, where Will and Kate got married in 2011. It’s also been the coronation church of England since 1066 and the final resting place of 17 of the country’s monarchs (and, as made famous in The DaVinci Code, Sir Isaac Newton).
National Portrait Gallery
The Duchess of Cambridge has a multi-faceted history with the National Portrait Gallery. Not only is her first official portrait on display there, she has been a patron of the museum since 2012, expressing a keen interest in portraiture and photography. Kate has visited the museum several times—which makes sense, seeing as she studied art history at university.
St. Luke's Church, Chelsea
St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington
The private “Lindo Wing” of St. Mary’s hospital is the place to be born in London. Not only did Kate deliver both Prince George and Princess Charlotte there, both princes William and Harry were born in the hospital. But a royal birth doesn’t come cheap—the cost per night can be upwards of $8,000.
The Goring Hotel
Harbour Club, Chelsea
Dans Le Noir
Bluebird Café
Peter Jones
Temperley London
Alexander McQueen
Jenny Packham
Fenwick Department Store
Topshop
The duchess is famously low-maintenance (for a royal) and—especially while she was pregnant—could often be spotted wearing Topshop. Pay homage to the lower end of Kate’s closet at the massive Topshop store at Oxford Circus.
T.K. Maxx
Fortnum and Mason
The duchess was once spotted with the queen and Camilla at this upscale food market. Although the trio was there for afternoon tea, Londoners stop in at Fortnum & Mason to pick up luxury and hard-to-find food items, like ultra-British chocolates, biscuits and jams.
Hale Clinic
The key to looking like royalty in real life is glowing skin. The Hale Clinic is where Kate gets hers. The holistic spa is apparently a must-visit on her list every time she’s in London. To copy the duchess exactly, request a bee-venom facial from skin guru Deborah Mitchell.
Trotters
Before Prince George was born, the duchess and her family were often spotted out shopping for kids’ supplies. At Trotters, she picked up clothing for the prince before his birth. Just before Princess Charlotte was born, the shop came out with a whole new line of royal clothing. It’s unclear whether or not the princess sported any of it. But for those who decide to stop by with a child, the charming store offers a certificate of bravery for anyone who undergoes his first haircut there.
Blue Almonds
When deciding how to decorate the nursery, Kate settled on furniture from Blue Almonds. She brought along her mother for the shopping trip and together they decided on a wicker crib for the prince.
Amaia
For a stylish baby look, the royal infants often sport something from Amaia. When Princess Charlotte made her grand balcony debut, it was in a $3 ribbon from the line and Prince George often wears the brand’s adorable (and dapper) shorts when making official appearances.
Richard Ward
To go full-on Kate, get her signature hairstyle performed by her signature hairstylist at his signature salon. The “Chelsea Blow Dry,” which Kate made famous, is available from a junior stylist at the salon for about $30. If you want the real deal from Richard Ward himself, it’s going to cost a lot more.
Mahiki
During the royal couple’s brief separation in 2007, Mahiki made headlines when Kate went there alone (in an attempt to make Will jealous, according to tabloids). The Polynesian-themed club was also a favorite of Prince Harry in his heavy-partying days.
Boujis
When Will and Kate were staples of the London nightclub scene, they spent Tuesdays at Boujis. However times have changed and after an incident at the club last year, Bouijs became a members-only lounge last year. You’ll have to book a table or know somebody already on the guest list to get in now.
Loulou's
Although this club didn’t open until after the royal wedding, that doesn’t mean that the duke and duchess haven’t christened it. Although it’s more of a favorite with the younger royals (Princess Eugeniee and Prince Harry have been spotted there on multiple occasions), Will and Kate attended a party with Pippa there in 2012.
Bumpkin
This no-fuss South Kensington restaurant bills itself as “your local British Brasserie,” but it’s got plenty of class. In 2012, Will and Kate hosted a Christmas lunch for their household staff at the restaurant—and they were both spotted dining at the restaurant together while Kate was pregnant.
Tom's Kitchen
When the royal couple are in the mood for traditional British cuisine, they’re known to swing by this Chelsea eatery, run by Michelin-starred chef, Tom Aikens. The menu features classics like fish & chips, guinea fowl and norfolk horn lamb cutlets—all which ring out under $30.
Archipelago
When looking to escape London (but when royal duties won’t allow a vacation), Will and Kate have stopped in on the restaurant that’s festooned with buddhas and features a menu of kangaroo, zebra and bison (alongside typical chicken and fish). Apparently, while he was there, Prince William went adventurous and ordered the crocodile.
Automat
Everybody needs a favorite local burger joint. this brasserie in Mayfair is the royal favorite for old-fashioned cheeseburgers. It’s currently temporarily closed for refurbishment and nobody seems to know quite when it will reopen. Perhaps to coincide with the royal move back to London?
Annoushka
Although she could (theoretically) raid the royal jewels, Kate seems to prefer more understated decorations. Her favorite pair of earrings—which she can often be spotted wearing—is a pair of “Classic Baroque Pearl Earring Drops” from Annoushka, which can be picked up at the designer’s Chelsea or Mayfair boutiques.
Garrard of London
Garrard’s created Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, which William passed on to Kate for her engagement. Swing by the impressive shop (which served as the royal jeweller for 160 years) and marvel at the impressive collection of—you guessed it—sapphire engagement rings.
Turnbull and Asser
In more formal gatherings, Prince William often turns to Turnbull & Asser for his royal suits. The royal outfitters have also created clothing for several other iconic Brits, including James Bond (as played by Daniel Craig), Elton John and Winston Churchill.
Jigsaw
Not only is Jigsaw a chic, modern store for clothing, it’s where Kate worked when she was first out of university (and she still wears some of their clothing). In 2007, the duchess-to-be (and then-recent grad) worked as an accessories buyer for the brand. Pay homage to the duchess’s time as a working girl by picking up a piece from jewelry designer Claudia Bradby, with whom she collaborated while at Jigsaw.
Wetherby Prep School
When the royal family heads back to London in the fall, Prince George will be enrolled in this prestigious Pre-K program. He’ll be in good company. The school is also the first alma mater of princes Harry and William, along with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Hugh Grant and Julian Fellowes.
Bucklebury Berkshire
St. Andrews University
It’s widely known that Will and Kate met while students at St. Andrews University in Scotland. She was studying art history and he majored in geography. Pay homage to the duo by taking a stroll around campus, perhaps stopping at St. Salvator's Hall, where they both dormed.
Anmer Hall
When the royal family moves to London, they will be moving out of their home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk. The country home was a wedding gift from the queen, which plays well into the home’s history. In 1862, Queen Victoria bought the estate as a wedding present for Edward VII, Prince of Wales.
Eton College
Princes William and Harry both attended this famous boys’ boarding school that has been in operation since 1440. But they aren’t the only famous alumni. Hugh Laurie, Tom Hiddleston, Eddie Redmayne, Ian Fleming, David Cameron, George Orwell and many, many more attended the exclusive (and expensive!) school in Windsor.
Windsor Castle
The oldest and largest occupied castle in England sits just across the River Thames from Eton. Currently, it’s Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite weekend retreat, but throughout its illustrious history, the castle has been home to Henry VIII (who held many of his extravagant feasts there), Elizabeth I and Charles I.
Anglesey, Wales
When the royal couple needs to get far, far away, they used to head to their private farmhouse in Wales. But in 2013, the beachside four-bedroom house was put back on the market and is now available to rent—albeit at a much higher rate than the monthly $930 (£750) rent William and Kate paid back then.
Sandringham House
Just two miles from Anmer Hall is Queen Elizabeth’s escape, Sandringham House and Gardens, where the entire royal family generally spends Christmas. The house, museum and garden are open for tours when they are unoccupied by royalty (this year, that’s about April through October).
Balmoral Castle
When the royal family is in need of a Scottish escape, they head to Balmoral. It’s been owned by the British royal family since 1852 and has remained largely the same ever since. However one big change is the 18-hole golf course that’s open to the public and provides a scenic tour around many of the Queen Victoria-era monuments on the grounds.
