To say that many fascinating things have happened at Kensington Palace in recent years would be an understatement. The royal property has seen people move in, people move out, and many scandals emerge along the way.
Recently, an incident occurred near Kensington Palace that had nothing to do with the royals. Still, it made news because of how shocking it was.
There's a large pond in Kensington Gardens. This neighboring park used to be part of the palace grounds but has since been deemed a royal park, open to the public. Police were called to Kensington Gardens with concerns about the safety of a woman, according to Sky News. After they arrived, the woman was pronounced dead on the scene.
The pond is pretty close to the royal households. Prince William was in Balmoral at the time with Kate and their three kids. It's unclear if Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, who also live there, were home at the time of the discovery.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson recently confirmed quite a story to Sky News. The spokesperson said that reports that a body was found near Kensington Palace late last month were true.
"Police were called to Kensington Gardens W2 at 7:09 am on Saturday, 29 August to a report of the concern for the safety of a woman," the spokesperson shared.
The body was recovered from the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. Once part of the palace grounds, it is now a royal park west of Hyde Park.
"The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is being treated as unexplained at this time, but is not thought to be suspicious," the spokesperson continued.
The Independent reported that police initially misidentified the body. Artist Endellion Lycett Green was believed to be the deceased. The granddaughter of former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman had been missing for days prior. The police notified the family, but Endellion turned up later that week safe and sound.
"My sister Endellion is alive, safe, and well," her brother John Lycett Green said in a statement.
"Thank you all for the support and love you showed for Delli and her family. Sorry to all of you that, like us, were grieving for the wonder that is Delli. We were told a body was found and was her. It was not, and Delli was found last night. RIP the soul that was found in Kensington Round Pond on Saturday morning."
Investigations determining the woman's identity are ongoing at this time.
"A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased."
The location is not too far from Prince William and Kate Middleton's home, Kensington Palace Apartment 1A. The family of five was in Balmoral visiting Queen Elizabeth at the time of the incident. They aren't the only royals who call the palace home, however.
There's a good chance the family wouldn't have been there even if they weren't in Scotland. They only recently returned to London after months in Norfolk. The family hunkered down at their Anmer Hall home amid the health crisis.
They're settling back into their normal routine, however. Prince George and Princess Charlotte started school this week. William said he was sure many parents could relate to how he and Kate felt sending them back.
"I think every parent is breathing a sigh of relief that school has started again," he said.
"Five months — it's been wonderful, but it's been a long five months."
Some thought Prince Louis might start nursery school this year. It appears he'll spend at least one more year at home with mom. With both of his siblings out of the house, it'll surely be nice to get that quality time in.
Other royals are settling back into life in London as well. The Duke and Duchess of Kent, as well as Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, also reside at Kensington Palace.
Princess Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank also live there. There's been a lot of speculation about the couple starting a family soon, so there's a chance there will be even more kids on those grounds sooner than we think.
