Kensington Palace is hosting an exhibition called Princesses of Punjab, putting the spotlight on royal women from the Punjab and their connections to Britain. For anyone wandering through the palace's famous state rooms and gardens, it adds a fresh layer to a visit that's usually all about Victoria, Queen Mary and the rest of the British royal household.
The story behind the show is a genuinely fascinating slice of history. In the 19th century, after the fall of the Sikh Empire, several young Punjabi royals ended up in England — most famously Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh Empire, who was brought to Britain as a boy and became a favourite of Queen Victoria. His family, including his daughters, moved in Victorian high society, and the exhibition explores how these women navigated life between two worlds: Punjabi royal heritage on one side, British aristocratic society on the other.
Kensington Palace is a fitting venue. Queen Victoria grew up here, and it was Victoria who received Duleep Singh at court when he presented the Koh-i-Noor diamond to the British Crown. Seeing the exhibition inside the palace where those relationships played out gives the story more weight than it would have in a gallery.
For travellers, this is an easy add-on to a London trip. Kensington Palace sits in Kensington Gardens, next to Hyde Park, and a standard palace ticket normally covers the permanent exhibits alongside whatever special display is on. You can spend a morning in the palace, then walk the gardens, pop into the Serpentine Gallery or browse Portobello Road Market in nearby Notting Hill — the area packs plenty into one day.
The exhibition also speaks to a wider shift: London's big royal sites are increasingly telling histories beyond the monarchy's own family tree, including the empire's complicated legacy. If you're interested in Sikh heritage, British-Indian history or just want a reason to see the palace with fresh eyes, it's worth timing your visit around the show.
Check Kensington Palace's website for dates, entry details and any timed-ticket requirements before you go — special exhibitions sometimes cost a little extra or need booking ahead in peak season.
