Crown Princess Maxima of Holland carries a fond reminder of her children: a fab photo tote with the images of Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane (arriving for the birthday celebrations of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark).

© Dutch Photo Press, Patrick van Katwijk

Her Majesty the Queen’s gown for the wedding of her sister, Princess Margaret – May 6th, 1960.

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Just what is going on at Kensington Palace?

The former home of Queen Victoria and Diana, Princess of Wales has been turned into an “Enchanted Palace”. The exhibit showcases various avant-garde interpretations of gowns and periods in the palace’s history that are presented in fashion, film, storytelling and dramatic displays. But is ‘enchanted’ the word to use?

The photographs of the exhibition show a spooky, Halloween type of world. A dress that once belonged to Princess Margaret hovers inside a glass display case, with two small red shoes injecting the only burst of color. The princess’ famous Poltimore tiara floats mysteriously above the little dress. It is more of a sad reminder that this is all that is left and the vibrant life that once occupied it.

Further examination brings us to more empty dresses. Some were worn by real princesses (Mary, Anne, Caroline, Charlotte, Victoria) and others are stylized period gowns that represent a designer’s ‘vision’.

Towards the end, a mirror painted in red letters asks visitors if they found the seven princesses during the experience. It is akin to a horror movie’s heroine finding a murderer’s message.

This is what I’ve gleaned from the photos, but what is it really like in there? Fortunately, we have some first-hand accounts to give us the scoop.

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Laura Porter is About.com’s London travel guide. You can find her on Twitter as AboutLondon. She has been kind enough to give her thoughts about the exhibition.

Laura reported via Twitter that it is “spectacularly weird at Kensington Palace. No info any building, artworks, residents; just art installations & oddities. I didn’t find the Diana reference in the exhibition but saw pic in last room suggesting I should have seen her. V confusing.”

At her About.com blog, Laura writes: “You enter via back stairs scrawled with children’s drawings and have a map to guide you through the room sets. It’s dark and a bit spooky throughout and you can hardly see the artworks on the walls anymore. Not that it matters as there’s no information to tell you want you’re looking at. (I’m sure everyone walks past the Rubens not knowing.)

I’m sure many visit as it’s the former home of Princess Diana, yet that side of things is so well played down I only spotted one picture of her.”

Would you go to this exhibition? Would you want a more traditional exhibition next time around? Would you like more Diana items, or are you more interested in the past princesses? See more at Laura’s blog for ticket prices if you are in London.

Your thoughts below!

This has absolutely nothing to do with royalty, but it is fun regardless. Enjoy!

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