The Sunken Garden was laid out during the reign of Edward VII and opened in May 1909 on ground formerly occupied by forcing-houses and potting sheds.  It was intended to demonstrate the formal type of garden that had existed at kensington before it was landscaped in the 18th Century, and was modelled on the “Tudor Garden’ at Hampton Court.  The three lead fountains were formerly cisterns at the palace.

The official guidebook to the palace opens with the following words:

Welcome to Kensington Palace, once a favoured home of some of Britain’s most famous kings and queens and the setting for many great events and dramas in royal history.

Originally a private country house, the building was acquired by William III and Mary II in 1689 and was adapted for royal residence by Sir Christopher Wren.  For the next 70 years the palace was at the centre of the life and government of the kingdom and played host to the courts of William and Mary, Queen Anne, George I and George II.  In the 19th century Kensington was the birthplace and home of Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria).  Parts of the palace remain a private residence for members of the Royal Family;  the State Apartments and Royal Ceremonial dress collection are open to the public

Over the years there have been many additions and alterations to the palace structure. During the 19th century the state apartments were neglected and fell into disrepair. By the end of the century the building had become dilapidated with the brickwork decaying and the woodwork infested with dry rot. Queen Victoria’s love for the palace that she had grown up in saved the day. In 1897, Parliament was persuaded to pay for the restoration of the State Apartments on condition that they should be opened to the public. After the State Apartments had been restored to their former glory they were opened to the public on Queen Victoria’s 80th birthday, 24th May 1899.*

The photo below shows the East Front of the palace with a large statue of Queen Victoria in the foreground. The statue:-

was sculpted by her fourth daughter Princess Louise and shows the Queen at the time of her accession. It was commissioned by the residents of Kensington to commemorate her Golden Jubilee in 1887 and erected in it’s present location in 1893, in a ceremony attended by the Queen herself.

*From the official guidebook.