View source for Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

{{Short description|Borough in London, England}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                    = 
| official_name           = Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
| other_name              = 
| settlement_type         = [[London borough]], [[Royal borough]]
| image_skyline           = {{multiple images|perrow=1/2|total_width=250|align=center|border=infobox
|image1=
|image2=
|image3=London's Chelsea Bridge 5.jpg
|image4=The Albert Bridge from Battersea Park.jpg
|image5=Royal Hospital Chelsea - geograph.org.uk - 4588780.jpg
|image6=Natural History Museum 5.jpg
|image7=Kensington Palace2.jpg
|image8=Victoria and Albert Museum, London (2014) - 4.JPG}}
| image_caption  ={{ubl|Left to right|Top: [[Chelsea Bridge]]|Upper: [[Albert Bridge, London|Albert Bridge]] and [[Royal Hospital Chelsea]]| Lower: [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] and [[Kensington Palace]]|Bottom: [[Victoria and Albert Museum]]}}
| image_alt               = 
| image_shield            = Coat of arms of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.svg
| shield_size             = 100px
| shield_alt              = 
| shield_link             = 
| image_blank_emblem      = Rb_kensington_and_chelsea_logo.svg
| blank_emblem_type       = Council logo
| blank_emblem_size       = 100px
| blank_emblem_alt        = 
| blank_emblem_link       = 
| motto                   = ‘’Quam bonum in unum habitare’’ (What a good thing it is to dwell together in unity)
| image_map               = Kensington and Chelsea in Greater London.svg
| map_alt                 = 
| map_caption             = Kensington and Chelsea shown within [[Greater London]]
| coor_pinpoint           = 
| coordinates       = 
| coordinates_footnotes   = 
| subdivision_type        = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name        = United Kingdom
| subdivision_type2       = [[Country of the United Kingdom|Constituent country]]
| subdivision_name2       = England
| subdivision_type3       = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_name3       = [[Greater London|London]]
| subdivision_type4       = [[Ceremonial county]]
| subdivision_name4       = [[Greater London]]
| established_title       = Created
| established_date        = 1 April 1965
| established_title1      = 
| established_date1       = 
| named_for               = 
| seat_type               = Admin HQ
| seat                    = [[Kensington Town Hall, London|Holland Street]]
| government_footnotes    = 
| government_type         = [[London borough council]]
| governing_body          = [[Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council]]
| leader_title2           = London&nbsp;Assembly
| leader_name2            = [[James Small-Edwards]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]) AM for [[West Central (London Assembly constituency)|West Central]]
| leader_title3           = [[List of MPs elected in the 2024 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]
| leader_name3            = {{Unbulleted list|[[Joe Powell (politician)|Joe Powell]] (Labour)|[[Ben Coleman (politician)|Ben Coleman]] (Labour)}}
| leader_title4           = 
| leader_name4            = 
| total_type              = 
| unit_pref               = 
| area_footnotes          = 
| area_magnitude          = 
| area_total_km2          = 12.13
| area_total_sq_mi        = 
| area_total_dunam        = 
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| area_land_sq_mi         = 
| area_water_km2          = 
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| area_water_percent      = 
| area_urban_footnotes    = 
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| area_metro_footnotes    = 
| area_metro_km2          = 
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| area_rank               = {{English district area rank|ONS=00AW|GSS=E09000020}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]]
| area_blank1_title       = 
| area_blank1_km2         = 
| area_blank1_sq_mi       = 
| area_blank2_title       = 
| area_blank2_km2         = 
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| population_footnotes    = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total        = {{English district population|ONS=00AW|GSS=E09000020}}
| population_as_of        = {{United Kingdom statistics year}}
| population_rank         = {{English district rank|ONS=00AW|GSS=E09000020}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]]
| population_density_km2  = auto
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| timezone                = [[GMT]]
| utc_offset              = ±00:00{{!}}UTC
| timezone_DST            = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset_DST          = +1
| postal_code_type        = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcodes]]
| postal_code             = {{postcode|NW}}, {{postcode|SW}}, {{postcode|W}}
| area_code_type          = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code               = [[020]]
| geocode                 =
| iso_code                = GB-KEC
| registration_plate      =
| blank1_name             = [[ONS code]]
| blank1_info             = 00AW
| blank2_name             = [[GSS code]]
| blank2_info             = E09000020
| blank_name_sec2         = [[List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom|Police]]
| blank_info_sec2         = [[Metropolitan Police]]
| website                 = [http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/ www.rbkc.gov.uk]
| footnotes               = 
}}

The '''Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea''' (often known by its initialism as '''RBKC''') is an [[Inner London|Inner]] [[London borough]] with [[Royal borough|royal status]]. It is the [[List of English districts by area|smallest]] borough in London and the second smallest [[Districts of England|district in England]]; it is one of the most densely populated administrative regions in the United Kingdom. It includes affluent areas such as [[Notting Hill]], [[Kensington]], [[South Kensington]], [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]], and [[Knightsbridge]].

The borough is immediately west of the [[City of Westminster]], east of the [[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]], south of the [[London Borough of Brent]] and north of the [[London Borough of Wandsworth]] across the [[River Thames]]. It contains major museums and universities in [[South Kensington]], department stores such as [[Harrods]], [[Peter Jones (department store)|Peter Jones]] and [[Harvey Nichols]], and embassies in [[Belgravia]], [[Knightsbridge]] and [[Kensington Gardens]]. The borough is home to the [[Notting Hill Carnival]], Europe's largest, and contains many of the most expensive residential properties in the world, as well as [[Kensington Palace]], a British royal residence.

The local authority is [[Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council]]. Its motto, adapted from the opening words of [[Psalm 133]], is {{lang|la|Quam bonum in unum habitare}}, which translates roughly as 'How good it is to dwell in unity'.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/how-council-works/our-mayor/coat-arms |title=How council works: our Mayor: Coat of Arms |publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea |access-date=16 June 2017 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126214659/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/how-council-works/our-mayor/coat-arms |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== History ==
[[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] and [[Kensington]] were both [[ancient parish]]es in the [[Historic counties of England|historic county]] of [[Middlesex]]. From 1856 the two parishes were in the area governed by the [[Metropolitan Board of Works]], which was established to provide services across the [[metropolis]] of London.<ref>[[Metropolis Management Act 1855]] (18 & 19 Vict. c. 120)</ref> In 1889 the Metropolitan Board of Works' area was made the [[County of London]]. From 1856 until 1900 the lower tier of local government within the metropolis comprised various [[List of London vestries and district boards|parish vestries and district boards]], with both Chelsea and Kensington being governed by their respective [[vestries]]. In 1900 the lower tier was reorganised into [[Metropolitan boroughs of the County of London|metropolitan boroughs]], two of which were called [[Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea|Chelsea]] and [[Metropolitan Borough of Kensington|Kensington]], corresponding to the two parishes.<ref>[[London Government Act 1899]] (62 & 63 Vict. c. 14)</ref> The borough of Kensington was given the honorific title of [[royal borough]] in 1901.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27378|page=7472|date=19 November 1901}}</ref>

The modern borough was created in 1965 under the [[London Government Act 1963]], which reorganised 86 boroughs and urban districts into 32 London boroughs and also created the [[Greater London Council]]. It was a merger of the old metropolitan boroughs of Chelsea and Kensington, and it inherited Kensington's royal borough status.<ref>{{cite book |last=Youngs |first=Frederic |title=Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England |volume=I: Southern England |publisher=[[Royal Historical Society]] |location=London |year=1979 |isbn=0-901050-67-9}}</ref> The new borough was originally intended to be called only "Kensington", but after protests from thousands of Chelsea residents, the then Minister of Housing and Local Government, [[Sir Keith Joseph]], announced on 2 January 1964 that the name of the new borough would be the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.<ref>[http://find.galegroup.com/ttda/infomark.do?&source=gale&prodId=TTDA&userGroupName=kenlib&tabID=T003&docPage=article&searchType=BasicSearchForm&docId=CS85943843&type=multipage&contentSet=LTO&version=1.0 The Times, 3 January 1964:''Chelsea Name Retained: New Decisions on Three Boroughs''] Linked 14 June 2018</ref>

Of its history the council states: "Despite the boroughs being separate originally, [[Kensington]] and [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] still retain their unique characters. Even the amalgamation of the two boroughs, unpopular as it was at the time, has been accepted. Today conservation combined with the adoption of sympathetic new architecture is seen as a key objective. In every corner of the borough signs of its history can be seen: from Grade 1 listed buildings Kensington Palace and the Royal Hospital, Chelsea to others recalled in street names such as Pottery Lane and Hippodrome Mews."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p16.asp |title=The Modern Borough |publisher=Rbkc.gov.uk |access-date=6 May 2020 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530142838/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p16.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 200 years the area has been transformed from a "rural idyll" to a thriving part of the modern metropolis. Chelsea had originally been countryside upon which [[Thomas More]] built [[Beaufort House (Chelsea)|Beaufort House]]. He came to Chelsea in 1520 and built the house, which in his day had two courtyards laid out between the house and the river, and in the north of the site acres of gardens and orchards were planted. It was from here in 1535 that More was taken to the Tower and beheaded later that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p02.asp |title=Thomas More Comes to Chelsea |publisher=Rbkc.gov.uk |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-date=21 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621225239/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p02.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> This area of [[Cheyne Walk]] continued its historic significance; nearby [[Crosby Hall, London|Crosby Hall]] sits on the river near the Church of Thomas More, and what was once [[Thomas Carlyle]]'s residence remains on [[Cheyne Row]].

Kensington's royal borough status was granted in 1901 as it included of [[Kensington Palace]], where Queen Victoria was born in 1819 and lived until her accession in 1837. Commissioned by [[King William III]], Christopher Wren enlarged and rebuilt the original house in 1689, turning it into a fitting royal residence. With the King came many court officials, servants and followers. Kensington Square, until then a failing venture, became a popular residential area. The Palace was regularly used by reigning monarchs until 1760 and since then by members of the Royal family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p04.asp |title=Royalty Comes to Kensington |publisher=Rbkc.gov.uk |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530142836/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p04.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kensington's royal borough status was inherited by the new borough.

In the 19th century the last emperor of the [[Sikh Empire]], [[Maharaja Duleep Singh]] who was brought to England as a child following the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]], along with the [[Koh-i-Noor]] diamond, lived in the borough at 53 Holland Park, while his mother Maharani [[Jind Kaur]] (wife of [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]]) lived at the nearby Abingdon House till her death in 1846.

During the [[Second World War]] civilians suffered great hardship; there were some 800 deaths and 40,000 injuries. A huge army of civilian volunteers was raised, including Auxiliary Fire Service, Red Cross, Air Raid Wardens and Rescue Services. During the Blitz much damage was caused by explosive and incendiary bombs, especially along Chelsea's riverside. But worse was to come in 1944 with the arrival of the [[V2 rockets]], or flying bombs. Among the buildings either destroyed or seriously damaged, usually with terrible loss of life, were [[Chelsea Old Church]], [[Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer and St Thomas More, Chelsea|Church of Our Most Holy Redeemer]], [[Our Lady of Victories, Kensington|Our Lady of Victories]], [[St Mary Abbots]], St Stephens Hospital, [[St Mary Abbots Hospital]], [[Sloane Square tube station]], [[World's End, Kensington and Chelsea|World's End]], the [[Royal Hospital Chelsea|Royal Hospital]] and [[Holland House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p14.asp |title=The Boroughs at War |publisher=Rbkc.gov.uk |access-date=18 November 2018 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530142837/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/vmhistory/general/vm_hs_p14.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Districts ==
Areas in the borough include:
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Albertopolis]]
* [[Bayswater]] (also partly in the [[City of Westminster]])
* [[Belgravia]] (also partly in the City of Westminster)
* [[Brompton, Kensington|Brompton]]
* [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]]
* [[Chelsea Harbour]] (also partly in the [[London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham]])
* [[Earl's Court]]
* [[Holland Park]]
* [[Kensal Green]] (also partly in the [[London Borough of Brent]])
* [[Kensington]]
* [[Knightsbridge]] (also partly in the City of Westminster)
* [[Ladbroke Grove]]
* [[North Kensington]]
* [[Notting Hill]]
* [[South Kensington]]
* [[West Brompton]]
* [[West Kensington]] (also partly in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham)
* [[World's End, Kensington and Chelsea|World's End]]
{{div col end}}

== Parks and open spaces ==
{{main|Kensington and Chelsea parks and open spaces}}Most parks and open spaces in this borough are quite small, the majority being squares built to service houses around them. However, the area does contain larger parks, including [[Kensington Gardens]] and parts of [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], as well as parts of the [[Magnificent Seven cemeteries]].

==Governance==
{{main|Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council}}
The local authority is Kensington and Chelsea Council, which is based at [[Kensington Town Hall, London|Kensington Town Hall]] on Horton Street.

===Greater London representation===
Since 2000, for elections to the [[London Assembly]], the borough forms part of the [[West Central (London Assembly constituency)|West Central]] constituency.

=== UK Parliament ===
The borough is divided between two [[constituencies]] represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]: [[Kensington and Bayswater]], held by [[Joe Powell (politician)|Joe Powell]] for the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], and [[Chelsea and Fulham]] (partly in [[Hammersmith & Fulham]]), held by [[Ben Coleman (politician)|Ben Coleman]] for the Labour Party.

At the [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 General Election]], the borough was divided differently:
* Kensington and Chelsea, held by [[Sir Malcolm Rifkind]] for the Conservative Party, and
* Regent's Park and Kensington North (partly in City of Westminster), held by [[Karen Buck]] for the Labour Party.

Rifkind held the Kensington seat until the 2015 General Election when he stood down after becoming embroiled in a scandal, uncovered by a television investigation, over accepting money in return for access to influential British diplomats and politicians.<ref>{{cite web|title = Malcolm Rifkind to stand down as an MP at the election after lobbying controversy|url = http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/malcolm-rifkind-stand-down-mp-election-after-lobbying-controversy|website = www.newstatesman.com| date=24 February 2015 |access-date = 3 June 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px solid darkgrey;"
|+Evolution of parliamentary constituencies in RBKC
|-  style="background:#44ee88;"
!Until [[1868 United Kingdom general election|1868]]
!From [[1868 United Kingdom general election|1868]]
! style="width:150px;" | From [[1885 United Kingdom general election|1885]]
! style="width:150px;"| From [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|Feb 1974]]
! style="width:150px;"| From [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]
! style="width:150px;"| From [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]
!From [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]
|-
| rowspan="3" |[[Middlesex (UK Parliament constituency)|Middlesex]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Chelsea (UK Parliament constituency)|Chelsea]]
| [[Kensington North]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Kensington (UK Parliament constituency)|Kensington]]
| Part of [[Regent's Park and Kensington North]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Kensington (UK Parliament constituency)|Kensington]]
| rowspan="2" |Part of [[Kensington and Bayswater]]
|-
| [[Kensington South]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Kensington and Chelsea (UK Parliament constituency)|Kensington and Chelsea]]
|-
| colspan=2 | [[Chelsea (UK Parliament constituency)|Chelsea]]
| colspan="2" | Part of [[Chelsea and Fulham]]
|}

=== Diplomatic missions ===
Within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, [[Kensington Palace]] is located on [[Kensington Palace Gardens]]—a tree-lined avenue that is home to embassies and high commissions, with additional diplomatic missions throughout the borough:

[[High commissioner (Commonwealth)|High Commissions]]

{{Div col|colwidth=11em}}
* {{flagdeco|Bangladesh}} [[High Commission of Bangladesh, London|Bangladesh]]
* {{flagdeco|Cameroon}} [[High Commission of Cameroon, London|Cameroon]]
* {{flagdeco|Cyprus}} [[High Commission of Cyprus, London|Cyprus]]
* {{flagdeco|Dominica}} [[Foreign relations of Dominica|Dominica]]
* {{flagdeco|Fiji}} [[High Commission of Fiji, London|Fiji]]
* {{flagdeco|The Gambia}} [[High Commission of The Gambia, London|Gambia]]
* {{flagdeco|Mauritius}} [[High Commission of Mauritius, London|Mauritius]]
* {{flagdeco|Pakistan}} [[High Commission of Pakistan, London|Pakistan]]
* {{flagdeco|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}} [[High Commission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, London|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]]
* {{flagdeco|Zambia}} [[High Commission of Zambia, London|Zambia]]
{{Div col end}}

[[List of diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom|Embassies]]

{{Div col|colwidth=11em}}
* {{flagdeco|Armenia}} [[Embassy of Armenia, London|Armenia]]
* {{flagdeco|Belarus}} [[Embassy of Belarus, London|Belarus]]
* {{flagdeco|Denmark}} [[Embassy of Denmark, London|Denmark]]
* {{flagdeco|Ecuador}} [[Embassy of Ecuador, London|Ecuador]]
* {{flagdeco|Estonia}} [[Embassy of Estonia, London|Estonia]]
* {{flagdeco|Gabon}} [[Embassy of Gabon, London|Gabon]]
* {{flagdeco|Greece}} [[Embassy of Greece, London|Greece]]
* {{flagdeco|Guatemala}} [[Embassy of Guatemala, London|Guatemala]]
* {{flagdeco|Iraq}} [[Embassy of Iraq, London|Iraq]]
* {{flagdeco|Israel}} [[Embassy of Israel, London|Israel]]
* {{flagdeco|Jordan}} [[Embassy of Jordan, London|Jordan]]
* {{flagdeco|Lebanon}} [[Embassy of Lebanon, London|Lebanon]]
* {{flagdeco|Mongolia}} [[Embassy of Mongolia, London|Mongolia]]
* {{flagdeco|Morocco}} [[Embassy of Morocco, London|Morocco]]
* {{flagdeco|Nepal}} [[Embassy of Nepal, London|Nepal]]
* {{flagdeco|The Netherlands}} [[Embassy of the Netherlands, London|The Netherlands]]
* {{flagdeco|Paraguay}} Paraguay
* {{flagdeco|Peru}} [[Embassy of Peru, London|Peru]]
* {{flagdeco|The Philippines}} [[Embassy of the Philippines, London|The Philippines]]
* {{flagdeco|Romania}} [[Embassy of Romania, London|Romania]]
* {{flagdeco|Russia}} [[Embassy of Russia, London|Russian Federation]]
* {{flagdeco|Slovakia}} [[Embassy of Slovakia, London|Slovakia]]
* {{flagdeco|Thailand}} [[Embassy of Thailand, London|Thailand]]
* {{flagdeco|Ukraine}} [[Embassy of Ukraine, London|Ukraine]]
* {{flagdeco|Uzbekistan}} [[Embassy of Uzbekistan, London|Uzbekistan]]
* {{flagdeco|Venezuela}} [[Embassy of Venezuela, London|Venezuela]]
* {{flagdeco|Vietnam}} [[Embassy of Vietnam, London|Vietnam]]
* {{flagdeco|Yemen}} [[Embassy of Yemen in London|Yemen]]
{{Div col end}}

== Demographics ==
[[File:Kensington and Chelsea population pyramid.svg|thumb|Population pyramid of the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in 2021]]
{{Historical populations
| title= Population census
| percentages = 
| 1801 |22088
| 1811 |31085
| 1821 |43296
| 1831 |55865
| 1841 |46807
| 1851 |69379
| 1861 |128828
| 1871 |188277
| 1881 |247725
| 1891 |258015
| 1901 |250267
| 1911 |242884
| 1921 |243589
| 1931 |244297
| 1941 |233377
| 1951 |223144
| 1961 |205598
| 1971 |189571
| 1981 |125892
| 1991 |145171
| 2001 |158922
| 2011 |158649
|footnote=Note:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/data_cube_table_page.jsp?data_theme=T_POP&data_cube=N_TPop&u_id=10057346&c_id=10001043&add=N|title=Kensington: Total Population |access-date=6 September 2011 |publisher=A Vision of Britain Through Time Great Britain Historical GIS Project }}</ref>
}}

At the 2011 census, the borough had a population of 158,649 who were 71 per cent White, 10 per cent Asian, 5 per cent of multiple ethnic groups, 4 per cent Black African and 3 per cent Black Caribbean. It is the least populated of the 32 [[London borough]]s. Due to its high French population it has long held the unofficial title of the 21st [[arrondissement]] of Paris.<ref>{{cite web|author=Emma Rowley|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/9261905/High-earners-say-au-revoir-to-France.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/globalbusiness/9261905/High-earners-say-au-revoir-to-France.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=High earners say au revoir to France |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=12 May 2012 |access-date=14 August 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Typical Street In The Royal Borough Of Kensington And Chelsea In London.jpg|thumb|A typical mews in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea]]
In 2005, the borough had more of its land covered by domestic buildings than anywhere else in England at 19%, over half the national average.<ref name=ons>{{Cite web |url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |title=Key Statistics: Dwellings; Quick Statistics: Population Density; Physical Environment: Land Use Survey 2005 |access-date=25 December 2021 |archive-date=11 February 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It also had the fifth highest proportion of land covered by non-domestic buildings at 12 percent.<ref name=ons/>

As of 2010 statistics released by the [[Office for National Statistics]] showed that [[life expectancy]] at birth for females was 89.8 years in 2008–2010, the highest in the United Kingdom. Male life expectancy at birth for the same period was 85.1 years.<ref>{{cite web|author=Nadine Burham-Marshalleck |url=http://www.swlondoner.co.uk/kensington-chelsea-has-uk-s-highest-life-expectancy/ |title=Kensington & Chelsea has UK's highest life expectancy - South West Londoner |date=31 October 2011 |publisher=Swlondoner.co.uk |access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref> The figures in 1991–1993 were significantly lower: 73.0 years for males (ranking 301st in the nation) and 80.0 for females (ranking 129th). Further investigation indicates a 12-year gap in life expectancy between the affluent wards of Chelsea (Royal Hospital, Hans Town) and the most northerly wards of North Kensington (Golborne, Dalgarno), which have high levels of social housing and poverty.

The borough has a higher proportion (16.6 percent) of high earners (over £60,000 per year) than any other local government district in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://money.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4965695-110144,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525232925/http://money.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4965695-110144,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Top ten fastest growing affluent areas | publisher= Business guardian.co.uk |access-date=18 November 2018}}</ref> It has the highest proportion of workers in the financial sector and the lowest proportion working in the retail sector.

In December 2006 [[Sport England]] published a survey which showed that the borough's residents were the fourth most active in England in sports and other fitness activities. 27.9 percent of the population participate at least three times a week for 30 minutes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources/research/active_people/active_people_survey_headline_results.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070120191354/http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources/research/active_people/active_people_survey_headline_results.htm |access-date=25 February 2010 |archive-date=20 January 2007 |title=Active People Survey - headline results }}</ref>

A 2017 study by Trust for London<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/|title=London Poverty & Inequality - Trust For London|website=Trust for London}}</ref> and the [[New Policy Institute]]<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npi.org.uk/|title=Home|website=www.npi.org.uk}}</ref> found that Kensington & Chelsea has the greatest income inequality of any London Borough. Private rent for low earners was also found to be the least affordable in London. However, the borough's poverty rate of 28% is roughly in line with the London-wide average.<ref name="trustforlondon1">{{cite web |title=London's Poverty Profile |url=https://www.trustforlondon.org.uk/data/ |website=Trust for London |access-date=19 July 2018}}</ref>

=== Ethnicity ===
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" style="text-align:right"
! rowspan="3" |Ethnic Group
! colspan="12" |Year
|-
! colspan="2" |1971 estimations<ref>{{Cite web |title=Migration and London's growth |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/74375221.pdf#page=94 |publisher=LSE}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1981 estimations<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/ethnicityin1991c0000unse |title=Ethnicity in the 1991 census: Vol 3 - Social geography and ethnicity in Britain, geographical spread, spatial concentration and internal migration |date=1996 |publisher=London : HMSO |others=Internet Archive |isbn=978-0-11-691655-6}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1991 census<ref name=":0"/>
! colspan="2" |2001 census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/construct/submit.asp?forward=yes&menuopt=201&subcomp= |title=KS006 - Ethnic group  |publisher=NOMIS |access-date=30 January 2016}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011 census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/QS201EW/view/1946157259?cols=measures |title=Ethnic Group by measures |publisher=NOMIS |access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2021 census<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ethnic group - Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS021/editions/2021/versions/1/filter-outputs/d2f0a39a-75b6-4995-b4bd-a5b68ff79027#get-data |access-date=29 November 2022 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
![[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]: Total
!–
!93.8%
!127,634
!88.8%
!122,936
!84.6%
!124,924
!78.61%
!112,017
!70.61%
!91,394
!63.8%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | White: [[White British|British]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 79,594|| 50.08% || 62,271|| 39.25%
|46,883
|32.7%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | White: [[White Irish|Irish]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 5,183 || 3.26% || 3,715|| 2.34%
|2,825
|2.0%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | White: [[White Gypsy or Irish Traveller|Gypsy or Irish Traveller]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–||  –||  –|| 119|| 0.08%
|84
|0.1%
|-
|White: Roma
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|1,049
|0.7%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | White: [[Other White|Other]]
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 40,147|| 25.26% || 45,912|| 28.94%
|40,553
|28.3%
|-
! style="text-align:left" | [[British Asian|Asian or Asian British]]: Total 
!–
!–
!5,918
!4.1%
!8,741
!6%!! 10,329 !! 6.50% !! 15,861 !! 10.00%
!17,025
!11.8%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Asian or Asian British: [[British Indians|Indian]]
|–
|–
|1274
|
|1,711
| || 3,226 || 2.03% || 2,577|| 1.62%
|3,209
|2.2%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Asian or Asian British: [[British Pakistanis|Pakistani]]
|–
|–
|634
|
|867
| || 1,203|| 0.76% || 911 || 0.57%
|1,282
|0.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Asian or Asian British: [[British Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]]
|–
|–
|372
|
|613
| || 1,148|| 0.72% || 836|| 0.53%
|1,488
|1.0%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Asian or Asian British: [[British Chinese|Chinese]]
|–
|–
|1,108
|
|1,517
| || 2,592 || 1.63% || 3,968|| 2.50%
|3,839
|2.7%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Asian or Asian British: Other Asian 
|–
|–
|2,530
|
|4,033
| || 2,160 || 1.36% || 7,569|| 4.77%
|7,207
|5.0%
|-
! style="text-align:left" | [[Black British people|Black or Black British]]: Total  
!–
!–
!6,581
!4.6%
!8,259
!5.7%!! 11,081 !! 6.97% !! 10,333 !! 6.51%
!11,279
!7.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|African]]
|–
|–
|2,176
|
|2,891
| || 6,013 || 3.78% || 5,536 || 3.49%
|6,944
|4.8%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Black or Black British: [[British African-Caribbean people|Caribbean]]
|–
|–
|3,148
|
|3,701
| || 4,101 || 2.58% || 3,257 || 2.05%
|3,237
|2.3%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Black or Black British: [[Other Black]]
|–
|–
|1,257
|
|1,667
| || 967 || 0.61% || 1,540 || 0.97%
|1,098
|0.8%
|-
! style="text-align:left" | [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed or British Mixed]]: Total 
!–
!–
!–
!–
!–
!–!! 6,505 !! 4.09% !! 8,986 !! 5.66%
!9,525
!6.6%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Mixed: White and Black Caribbean 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 1,290 || 0.81% || 1,695 || 1.07%
|1,725
|1.2%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Mixed: White and Black African 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 1,057 || 0.67% || 1,148 || 0.72%
|1,288
|0.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Mixed: White and Asian 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 1,863 || 1.17% || 3,021|| 1.90%
|3,047
|2.1%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Mixed: Other Mixed 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| 2,295 || 1.44% || 3,122 || 1.97%
|3,465
|2.4%
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Other: Total 
!–
!–
!3,619
!2.5%
!5,364
!3.7%!! 6,080 !! 3.83% !! 11,452 !! 7.22%
!14,150
!9.9%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Other: Arab 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–||  –||  –|| 6,455|| 4.07%
|6,384
|4.5%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | Other: Any other ethnic group 
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–
|–|| –|| –|| 4,997 || 3.15%
|7,766
|5.4%
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Ethnic minority: Total 
!–
!6.2%
!16,118
!11.2%
!22,364
!15.4%!! 33,995 !! 21.39% !! 46,632 !! 29.39%
!51,979
!36.2%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
! style="text-align:left" | Total 
!–
!100%
!143,752
!100%
!145,300
!100%!! 158,919 !! 100.00% !! 158,649 !! 100.00%
!143,373
!100%
|}

=== Religion ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/percentage-population-religion-borough |title=Population by Religion, Borough |publisher=Office for National Statistics (ONS) |access-date=2 June 2020}}</ref>

|label1 = [[Christianity in the United Kingdom|Christianity]]
|value1 = 48.4
|color1 = RoyalBlue
|label2 = [[Islam in the United Kingdom|Islam]]
|value2 = 11.8
|color2 = #29AB87
|label3 = Judaism
|value3 = 1.9
|color3 = #B22222
|label4 = [[Hinduism in the United Kingdom|Hinduism]]
|value4 = 1.1
|color4 = #FF7538
|label5 = [[Buddhism]]
|value5 = 1.1
|color5 = #F8DE7E
|label6 = Any other religion
|value6 = .7
|color6 = #AF6E4D
|label7 = [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|Non-religious]]
|value7 = 24.8
|color7 = LightGrey
}}

The following shows the religious identity of residents residing in Kensington and Chelsea according to the 2001, 2011 and the 2021 censuses.

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! rowspan="2" |Religion
! colspan="2" |2001<ref>{{Cite web |title=KS007 - Religion - Nomis - 2001 |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/ks007 |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |2011<ref>{{Cite web |title=KS209EW (Religion) - Nomis - 2011 |url=https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/census/2011/ks209ew |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=www.nomisweb.co.uk}}</ref>
! colspan="2" | 2021<ref>{{cite web |date=29 November 2022 |title=Religion - 2021 census |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129115419/https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS030/editions/2021/versions/1 |archive-date=29 November 2022 |access-date=16 December 2022 |website=Office of National Statistics}}</ref>
|-
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
!Number
!%
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Holds religious beliefs
!120,052
!75.5
!110,011
!69.3
!93,452
!65.2
|-
|Christian
| align="right" |98,466
| align="right" |62.0
| align="right" |86,005
| align="right" |54.2
| align="right" |69,335
| align="right" |48.4
|-
|[[Muslim]]
| align="right" |13,364
| align="right" |8.4
| align="right" |15,812
| align="right" |10.0
| align="right" |16,865
| align="right" |11.8
|-
|Jewish
| align="right" |3,550
| align="right" |2.2
| align="right" |3,320
| align="right" |2.1
| align="right" |2,681
| align="right" |1.9
|-
|[[Hinduism|Hindu]]
| align="right" |1,594
| align="right" |1.0
| align="right" |1,386
| align="right" |0.9
| align="right" |1,584
| align="right" |1.1
|-
|[[Sikhism|Sikh]]
| align="right" |325
| align="right" |0.2
| align="right" |263
| align="right" |0.2
| align="right" |319
| align="right" |0.2
|-
|[[Buddhist]]
| align="right" |1,849
| align="right" |1.2
| align="right" |2,447
| align="right" |1.5
| align="right" |1,606
| align="right" |1.1
|-
|Other religion
| align="right" |904
| align="right" |0.6
| align="right" |778
| align="right" |0.5
| align="right" |1,064
| align="right" |0.7
|-
!No religion
! align="right" |24,240
! align="right" |15.3
! align="right" |32,669
! align="right" |20.6
! align="right" |35,610
! align="right" |24.8
|-
!Religion not stated
! align="right" |14,627
! align="right" |9.2
! align="right" |15,969
! align="right" |10.1
! align="right" |14,311
! align="right" |10.0
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!Total population
! align="right" |158,919
! align="right" |100.0
! align="right" |158,649
! align="right" |100.0
! align="right" |143,373
! align="right" |100.0
|}

===Places of worship===
The borough has a number of notable churches, including:
* [[Brompton Oratory]] – [[Roman Catholic Church in Great Britain|Roman Catholic]]
* [[Chelsea Old Church (All Saints)]] – [[Church of England]]
* [[Holy Trinity Brompton]] – [[Church of England]]
* [[St Columba's Church, London|St Columba's Church, Pont Street]] – [[Church of Scotland]]
* [[St Luke's Church, Chelsea]], [[Sydney Street]] – Church of England
* [[St Mary Abbots]] – Church of England
* [[St Sophia's Cathedral, London|St Sophia's Cathedral]] – [[Greek Orthodox Church]]
* [[Kensington Temple]] – [[Elim Pentecostal Church]]

It is home to a small [[Spanish and Portuguese Jews|Spanish and Portuguese synagogue]], several mosques and the [[Sikh]] Central [[Gurudwara]] in [[Holland Park]]. There are two Armenian churches – [[St. Sarkis Church (London)|Saint Sarkis Armenian Church]] and [[Church of St Yeghiche, South Kensington|Church of Saint Yeghiche]]. [[Westminster Synagogue]] is also partially located in the borough.

==Transport==
===Underground===
[[File:London Train Station.jpg|thumb|A [[London Underground]] train departing from [[Earl's Court station]]]]
The borough has 12 tube stations, on five of the 11 London Underground lines: the [[Central line (London Underground)|Central line]], [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle line]], [[District line]], [[Hammersmith & City line]] and [[Piccadilly line]]. The borough contains the stations of {{metro|South Kensington}}, {{metro|Gloucester Road}}, {{metro|High Street Kensington}}, {{metro|Earl's Court}}, {{metro|Sloane Square}}, {{metro|West Brompton}}, {{metro|Notting Hill Gate}}, {{metro|Holland Park}}, {{metro|Latimer Road}}, {{metro|Knightsbridge}}, {{metro|Westbourne Park}} and {{metro|Ladbroke Grove}}.
====Crossrail====

Chelsea (SW3, SW10 and partly SW1) has significantly less Underground access than Kensington, the only station within Chelsea being [[Sloane Square tube station|Sloane Square]]. There have for some time been long-term plans for a [[Chelsea-Hackney line]], with a station in the King's Road near [[Chelsea Town Hall]], and possibly another at Sloane Square.  As of June 2019, the plans for [[Crossrail 2]] materialising show the proposed route tunnelling through Chelsea and featuring the planned {{rws|King's Road Chelsea}} station on the site of Dovehouse Green. The future of this station, being the only fully new station on the proposed line, remains ambiguous; initial reports of the station idea having been scrapped <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/267275/crossrail-2-route-shake-up-transport-londons-business-case |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327183856/http://www.cityam.com/267275/crossrail-2-route-shake-up-transport-londons-business-case |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 March 2018 |title=Crossrail 2 route shake-up: Transport for London's (TfL) business case proposal scraps Kings Road Chelsea station and opts for Tooting over Balham &#124; City A.M |date=26 June 2017 |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref> seem to be contradicted by the station's placement on an official [[Transport for London]] map for the route.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://crossrail2.co.uk/route/route-map/|title=Route Map|publisher=CrossRail}}</ref>

A Crossrail station on the original [[Crossrail]] route, from Paddington to Reading, has been proposed and endorsed by the council.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/parking-transport-and-streets/getting-around/kensal-portobello-crossrail-station |title=Kensal Portobello Crossrail Station &#124; Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea |publisher=Rbkc.gov.uk |access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref>  This station would be located near the northern end of {{rws|Ladbroke Grove}}, and would serve the areas of North Kensington and Kensal.  The council supports this station concept as it would renew infrastructure and build regeneration benefits in the area.

===National Rail and Overground===

{{rws|Paddington}} and {{rws|London Victoria||Victoria}} are the nearest major railway termini; National Rail stations in the borough are {{rws|Kensington (Olympia)}} and {{rws|West Brompton}} (and partly {{rws|Kensal Green}}), both served by [[London Overground]] and [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]].

===Buses===

Many London bus routes pass through the borough, most of them along [[King's Road]], [[Fulham Road]], [[Kensington High Street]] and [[Ladbroke Grove]].

===Cycling===

Kensington and Chelsea council has been criticised for its lack of support for [[Bike lane|cycle lanes]] and [[active travel]] in general. In 2019 the council vetoed a flagship programme by [[Transport for London]] for safer walking and cycling in the borough.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 June 2019 |title=Kensington and Chelsea vetoes flagship road safety scheme |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/14/kensington-and-chelsea-vetoes-flagship-road-safety-scheme |access-date=19 August 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> In 2020 it scrapped a cycle lane along [[Kensington High Street]] just seven weeks after it was installed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 November 2020 |title=Kensington and Chelsea council criticised for scrapping cycle lane |url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/30/kensington-and-chelsea-council-criticised-for-scrapping-cycle-lane |access-date=19 August 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

=== Travel to work ===

In March 2011 the main forms of transport that residents used to travel to work were: underground, metro, light rail, tram, 23.6 percent of all residents aged 16–74; driving a car or van, 8.2 percent; on foot, 8.2 percent; bus, minibus or coach, 8.0 percent; work mainly at or from home, 7.0 percent; bicycle, 3.1 percent; train, 2.1 percent.<ref>{{cite web |title=2011 Census: QS701EW Method of travel to work, local authorities in England and Wales |url=http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-and-quick-statistics-for-wards-and-output-areas-in-england-and-wales/rft-qs701ew.xls |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=23 November 2013}}</ref>

== Social housing and Grenfell tower fire ==
[[File:Grenfell Tower fire morning.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.7|Grenfell Tower in the early morning of 14 June 2017.]]
The RBKC is a major provider of [[social housing]] in the borough owning 9,459 properties.<ref name="BP">{{cite web|title=Business Plan 2014-17 |url=http://www.kctmo.org.uk/files/161647_business_plan_2014-17.pdf |publisher=kctmo.org.uk/ Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation |access-date=18 June 2017 |archive-date=29 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229185333/http://www.kctmo.org.uk/files/161647_business_plan_2014-17.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> Of these over 73 percent are tenanted, with the remainder being [[leasehold]].<ref name="BP"/> The management of this housing was devolved to the [[Kensington and Chelsea TMO]] (KCTMO), a [[tenant management organisation]]. Properties included [[Trellick Tower]].

The 2017 [[Grenfell Tower fire]], in which one public-housing tower of the estate [[Grenfell Tower]] was completely destroyed and 72 lives were lost, drew international attention to the borough. After widespread criticism of the borough council's response to the fire,<ref name="Horton">{{cite web |last1=Horton |first1=Helena |title=Anger as leader of Kensington Council appears to blame Grenfell residents for sprinklers not being installed |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/16/anger-leader-kensington-council-appears-blame-grenfell-residents/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/16/anger-leader-kensington-council-appears-blame-grenfell-residents/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=telegraph.co.uk|publisher=Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en|date=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref name="MacAskill">{{cite web |last1=MacAskill |first1=Ewen |title=Council sidelined in Grenfell Tower response as leader refuses to quit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/18/council-leader-nick-paget-brown-grenfell-tower-response|website=Guardian.co.uk|publisher=The Guardian|access-date=19 June 2017 |language=en |date=19 June 2017}}</ref> responsibility for providing services to those affected by the fire was taken away from RBKC.<ref name="FLood">{{cite web|last1=Flood|first1=Rebecca|title=Specialist team set up after Grenfell Tower fire after response 'not good enough'|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/818556/Grenfell-Tower-response-team-fire-not-good-enough-residents-anger-government|website=Express.co.uk|publisher=Daily Express|access-date=18 June 2017|language=en|date=18 June 2017}}</ref> Prime Minister [[Theresa May]] previously branded the response to the tragedy "not good enough", with Whitehall civil servants drafted in as part of a beefed-up operation in the local area.
Anna Stec who gave evidence as an expert witness to the [[Grenfell Tower Inquiry]] has urged the authorities to test rescue workers, nearby residents and survivors for carcinogenic chemicals following the fire.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/13/grenfell-soil-tests-reveal-huge-numbers-cancer-forming-toxins/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/10/13/grenfell-soil-tests-reveal-huge-numbers-cancer-forming-toxins/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Grenfell soil tests 'reveal huge numbers of cancer forming toxins' |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=13 October 2018|access-date= 7 December 2018}}</ref>

== Featured places ==
[[File:Science Museum 20180227 120430 (49362558971).jpg|thumb|The [[Science Museum, London|Science Museum]]]]
Within the borough there are several of London's tourist attractions and landmarks:

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Brompton Oratory]]
* [[Earl's Court]]
* [[Harrods]]
* [[Hill House School]]
* [[Imperial College London]]
* [[Jumeirah Carlton Tower]]
* [[Kensington Arcade]]
* [[Kensington High Street]]
* [[Kensington Palace]]
* [[King's Road]]
* [[Ladbroke Grove]]
* [[Leighton House Museum]]
* [[Notting Hill Gate]]
* [[Olympia, London|Olympia]] (part)
* [[Portobello Road]]
* [[Royal Hospital Chelsea]]
* [[Saatchi Gallery]]
* [[Sloane Street]]
* [[The Science Museum]] and [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]]
* [[Victoria & Albert Museum]]
{{div col end}}

== Education ==
[[File:ImperialCollegeLondon.jpg|thumb|Main entrance of the [[Royal School of Mines]], [[Imperial College London]]]]

===Schools===
{{Main|List of schools in Kensington and Chelsea}}
The council's education department finances state schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/az/az.asp?searchletter=F&orgid=1372 |title=Family and Children's Services |publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea |date=14 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2017}}</ref>

London's Poverty Profile - a 2017 study by Trust for London<ref name="auto"/> and the New Policy Institute<ref name="auto1"/> - found that 75% of 19-year-olds in Kensington and Chelsea have at least a C in their GCSE English and Maths. This is the highest success rate in London.<ref name="trustforlondon1"/>

===Independent preparatory schools===
*[[Hill House School]], whose notable alumni including [[King Charles III]] and actress [[Anya Taylor-Joy]]. 
*[[Sussex House School]]

=== Further education ===
* [[Kensington and Chelsea College]]
* [[St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College]]

=== Universities ===
* [[English National Ballet School]]
* [[Royal College of Art]]
* [[Royal College of Music]]
* [[Imperial College London]]
* [[Heythrop College]]
* [[Richmond, The American International University in London]]
* [[Fordham University]]

===Public libraries===
[[File:Kensington Central Library 10.JPG|thumb|[[Kensington Central Library]], London W8]]
Libraries include the [[Kensington Central Library]], Chelsea Library, Kensal Library, Brompton Library, North Kensington Library and the Notting Hill Gate Library.<ref>[http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/libraries/general/Libraries http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/leisureandlibraries.aspx ''Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea''. Retrieved 13 January 2009. ]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==International relations==
===Town twinning===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is formally [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*  [[Cannes]], Alpes-Maritimes, [[Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur]], France<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|title=British towns twinned with French towns [via WaybackMachine.com]|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref>

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom]] of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

{{Expand list|date=July 2020}}

===Individuals===
* [[Sir Winston Churchill]]: 1949.<ref name=Kensington1>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/committees/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=MqbJ6gFSsz%2BBD4VvH1DKro0sFEYR3heyjlNjgnMwxqMtn5%2BYoQAWcg%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2FLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9%2FpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D|title=Appointment of Honorary Persons|publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|access-date=30 November 2016|archive-date=11 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111005001/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/committees/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=MqbJ6gFSsz%2BBD4VvH1DKro0sFEYR3heyjlNjgnMwxqMtn5%2BYoQAWcg%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2FLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9%2FpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/N6Siqboi13U Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140419145234/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Siqboi13U&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Siqboi13U|title=Churchill Receives Freedom Of Kensington (1949)|last=British Pathé|date=13 April 2014|access-date=12 March 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> (Borough of Kensington)

===Military units===
* The [[GHQ Liaison Regiment|Army Phantom Signal Regiment]]: 6 October 1959.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.steppingforwardlondon.org/civic-honours-granted-by-the-royal-boroughs.html|title=Civic Honours granted by the Royal Boroughs|website=www.steppingforwardlondon.org}}</ref> (Borough of Kensington)
* The [[Royal Hospital Chelsea]]: 28 June 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/pressrelease/pressreleasePage.aspx?id=2083|title=Royal Hospital Chelsea gains gift of a lifetime|website=www.rbkc.gov.uk}}</ref>
* [[31 (City of London) Signal Regiment]] ([[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|V]])
* [[Kensington Regiment (Princess Louise's)]] Signal Squadron [[38 Signal Regiment]]
* D Company ([[London Irish Rifles]]) [[London Regiment (1993)|The London Regiment]]
* 10 Company [[4th Battalion, Parachute Regiment]] 
* 21 [[Special Air Service|Special Air Services Regiment]] ([[Artists Rifles]]) ([[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|V]])
* [[Braganza Street drill hall|256 (City of London) Field Hospital]] ([[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|V]])
* The [[Royal Yeomanry]]
* The [[University of London Air Squadron]]  ([[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|V]])
* [[University Royal Naval Unit|University of London Royal Naval Unit]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/committees/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=gBhZMopRRfOKElwlLBy7%2Fof9JRLXJaP4SAXAJttsd28bOk08QdxPww%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2FLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9%2FpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D|title=Civic Honours – 41 (Princess Louise's Kensington) Squadron 38 Signal Regiment|publisher=Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|access-date=13 July 2019|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716011709/https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/committees/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=gBhZMopRRfOKElwlLBy7/of9JRLXJaP4SAXAJttsd28bOk08QdxPww%3D%3D&rUzwRPf%2BZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3D%3D=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ/LUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3D%3D&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&kCx1AnS9/pWZQ40DXFvdEw%3D%3D=hFflUdN3100%3D&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2BAJvYtyA%3D%3D=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&FgPlIEJYlotS%2BYGoBi5olA%3D%3D=NHdURQburHA%3D&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3D&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3D|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|London}}
* [[Tri-borough shared services]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline}}
* [http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/ Kensington & Chelsea Council]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100313135343/http://www.rbkclink.org/ Kensington & Chelsea Local Involvement Network (K&C LINk)]

{{LB Kensington and Chelsea}}
{{London}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|51.50|-0.19|type:city_region:GB-KEC|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Royal Borough Of Kensington And Chelsea}}
[[Category:Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea| ]]
[[Category:London boroughs|Kensington and Chelsea]]
[[Category:Local authorities adjoining the River Thames|Kensington and Chelsea]]
[[Category:1965 establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Places with royal patronage in London]]