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The Definitive Guide to Will and Kate's London

The Definitive Guide to Will and Kate's London

By Cailey Rizzo

February 16, 2017

Credit: Karwai Tang/Getty Images

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.

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Kensington Palace

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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.

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Buckingham Palace

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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.

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Westminster Abbey

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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).

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National Portrait Gallery

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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.

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St. Luke's Church, Chelsea

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If it’s possible to name a church the most posh in town, St. Luke’s in Chelsea would win the title hands down. Prince William and Pippa Middleton have both been spotted in the front pew. Less royally (but no less famously), Charles Dickens was married at the church in 1836.

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St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington

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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.

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The Goring Hotel

Credit: Courtesy of Goring Hotel

The night before her wedding, Kate Middleton booked the royal suite at the Goring Hotel. For those who can’t afford the suite’s $10,000-a-night price tag, the hotel also serves an afternoon tea that the Duchess has been known to attend.

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Harbour Club, Chelsea

Credit: Courtesy of Chelsea Harbour Club

In order to get in shape for her wedding, it’s rumored that Kate got a membership at the exclusive Harbour Club and would go for early morning workouts. When in London, she’s been spotting sharing a tennis court with a trainer, her sister or sometimes even her husband. The gym has a royal history—Princess Diana used to work out there with a personal trainer in the 1990s.

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Dans Le Noir

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Pre-marriage, it’s rumored that Will and Kate would head to the restaurant Dans Le Noir for romantic dates. The reason they liked it so much? It’s completely in the dark (dinner is served by blind waiters), so they could dine completely anonymously.

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Bluebird Café

Credit: Thomas Alexander/Courtesy of Bluebird Chelsea

This classically-British restaurant is thought to be one of Kate’s favorites. It was a date night spot for Will and Kate before their wedding; she has been spotted eating with her sister, Pippa, on the cafe’s terrace and also grabs lunch with friends there when in town now.

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Peter Jones

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Kate has been known to head to the cosmetics counter at the London department store and chat with employees about the latest make-up. (She does a lot of her own make-up for appearances, so it only makes sense that she would be intrigued by what’s on the market.)

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Temperley London

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One of Kate’s favorite British designers is Temperley London. She’s worn many of the label’s cut-out lace dresses to high-profile events. Make a stop at the brand’s flagship stop in Mayfair which spreads across two floors. There’s even an on-site private suite for royal occasions that necessitate a bit of personal shopping.

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Alexander McQueen

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Alexander McQueen designed the duchess’s most famous look, her wedding dress. But Kate has also picked the designer for many of her red carpet appearances. The brand’s flagship store, on Old Bond Street, is an ode to the contemporary, clean design that the duchess seems to favor.

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Jenny Packham

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It’s been rumored that the duchess is British designer Jenny Packham’s most loyal client. Not only does Kate regularly pick up new looks from the brand, she often re-wears her favorite pieces.

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Fenwick Department Store

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When shopping for an event without a specific designer in mind, Kate has been known to head to Fenwick Department Store in Mayfair. She once famously picked up two of the same dress (designed by Preen) in two different colors at the store.

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Topshop

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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.

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T.K. Maxx

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There’s more than one royal who loves a bargain—both Harry and Kate have been spotted at the U.K. version of TJ Maxx. When the royals are looking to stay on the thriftier side of their budget, they can be found at the brand’s Kensington High Street location in Central London.

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Fortnum and Mason

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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.

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Hale Clinic

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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.

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Trotters

Credit: Courtesy of 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.

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Blue Almonds

Credit: Courtesy of 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.

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Amaia

Credit: Courtesy of Amaia Kids

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.

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Richard Ward

Credit: Courtesy of Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa

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.

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Mahiki

Credit: Courtesy of 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.

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Boujis

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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.

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Loulou's

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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.

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Bumpkin

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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.

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Tom's Kitchen

Credit: Courtesy of 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.

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Archipelago

Credit: Courtesy of 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.

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Automat

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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?

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Annoushka

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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.

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Garrard of London

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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.

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The Definitive Guide to Will and Kate's London

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Kensington Palace

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Buckingham Palace

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Westminster Abbey

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National Portrait Gallery

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St. Luke's Church, Chelsea

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St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington

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The Goring Hotel

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Harbour Club, Chelsea

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Dans Le Noir

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Bluebird Café

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Peter Jones

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Temperley London

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Alexander McQueen

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Jenny Packham

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Fenwick Department Store

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Topshop

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T.K. Maxx

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Fortnum and Mason

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Hale Clinic

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Trotters

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Blue Almonds

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Amaia

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Richard Ward

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Mahiki

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Boujis

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Loulou's

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