Step inside Kate Middleton and Prince William's apartment at Kensington Palace

Get a glimpse inside the glamorous royal apartment since its refurbishment by Kate Middleton and Prince William as they host President Obama and the First Lady

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William have opened the doors of their home in Kensington Palace for informal 'pre-drinks' with the Obamas.

The photographs show the Royals, including Prince Harry, entertaining Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama in their newly refurbished drawing room of apartment 1A, before they adjourned for an informal and private dinner together.

Also on the guest list was the adorable toddler, Prince George, dressed in smart blue striped pajamas and a matching white fluffy personalised, dressing gown. A Kensington Palace spokesperson later revealed that George been allowed to stay up late as a special treat to meet the President and wife in order to thank them for their gift, a beautiful hand-made rocking horse, which Mr and Mrs Obama had sent to celebrate George's birth in 2013.

Get the look: A traditional rocking horse is the gift that keeps on giving, seen here as Prince George continues to enjoy it 3 years after the Obama's first bestowed it upon the young prince.

Rocking horse with white background

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Ayres Dapple Grey Rocking horse, £4,200, Dragons of Walton Street.

A beautifully handmade rocking horse, if looked after properly, becomes a treasured family heirloom - we'd put money on Charlotte being next in line to the saddle after George.

Previously the residence of Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon in the 1960's, Kate and William moved into the four-story, 20-room Apartment 1A, Kensington Palace in 2013 after a £4.5 million refurbishment.

Get the look: Showcase your excellent taste in books with an open bookcase for all to peruse. Making books easily accessible is ideal for creating a library-feel in your living space.

White ookcase with white background

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Burford Painted Bookcase, £175, The Cotswold Company.

This sturdy wooden piece has a classic white painted finish, giving it a timeless appeal to suit many styles.

It is said that the Duchess took interior decorating inspiration from the home of Princess Mary of Denmark after a visit to Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, and has chosen neutral colour schemes mixed with both traditional and modern furniture. Much of the property's original features were preserved during the refurbishment.

 

Comfortable cream sofas are furnished with pretty floral cushions while more grand pieces of furniture like the ornate gold console table hold plenty of warming family photos from the young couples past and present. In the foreground on a stylish hexagonal footstooll sits a replica soft
toy version of the White House pet dog Bo (also a gift for young Prince
George from the president).

Get the look: Create a statement with an opulent gold console table. As demonstrated by the Royals it provides the perfect place to display family photos and decorative objects.

Table with white marble and white background

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Versailles Gold Shabby Chic Console Table, £652, The French Bedroom Company.

The half moon shape is ideal as a small platform to host a table lamp, a pretty essential lighting item for creating ambience in a living room.

The lavish drawing room has the look and feel of a comfortable upmarket hotel lounge complete with a grand piano and a large floral statement bouquet. Chic and contemporary perspex side tables are dressed with large scented candle votives to creating a relaxed and ambient atmosphere for the party.

Get the look: Incorporate classic English style into your living with an elegant small sofa. We love the subtle damask print on this Duresta sofa, it adds a sophisticated touch - making it more opulent than a plain fabric choice. With roll top arms and antique finished legs it very much retains a classic country charm fit for a royal household.

Sofa set with cushion and white background

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Duresta Chelsea Village Sofa, £2395, Furniture Village.

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Contributor

Rachel Homer has been in the interiors publishing industry for over 15 years. Starting as a Style Assistant on Inspirations Magazine, she has since worked for some of the UK’s leading interiors magazines and websites. After starting a family, she moved from being a content editor at Idealhome.co.uk to be a digital freelancer and hasn’t looked back.