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london lately: the orangery at kensington palace

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We took Will’s mom to afternoon tea at the Orangery at Kensington Palace. A royal residence in Hyde Park, Will & Kate are currently renovating to move into after their baby is born. The gardens are lovely and the Orangery is a beautiful classical building they’ve modernised – it’s bright, gorgeous place to have afternoon tea.

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The sultana scones were my favourite, especially when served on the royal china pattern. We didn’t make a reservation, but you probably should. Especially if it’s a pretty day.

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I recommend touring the palace too – I think it was £15 a person with concessions. There is an amazing narrative installation in the Queen’s State Apartments called “House of Cards” by Coney on the fall of the Stuart dynasty – told through the eyes of little William – the future King who died unexpectedly days after his 11th birthday. Don’t miss it – it’s really special. Open until March.

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Good to be home

I was so happy to be in Nashville with my family and friends, but there wasn’t some deep inner breath when I stepped off the plane. I didn’t feel like I was “coming home.” But I did when I saw Will at Heathrow.

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I would try to take some pictures to give you some scale, but it is so small that I can’t physically back up that far… And, let’s be honest, it’s still pretty beige. But there are some moments that make me happy.

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When I was in Nashville, my mom bought some Turkish T towels and split them up between herself, my sister and me. I bought an old art book on abstract art from the North London Vintage Market and framed a bunch of stuff in it. Have you ever carried IKEA bags full of picture frames on public transport? That task is not for the faint of heart.

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Here is our little “reception” room as they call it here. In the entryway, I added a pretty M&S gin bottle to hold some flowers from the neighbourhood stand.

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It feels good to be home.

In the studio

Andrew White came to visit the studio and took some photos of me recording vocals & piano for “Come Home” – if you follow me on Vine, you can hear a clip from the string session for that song.

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