Kensington Palace, a historic royal residence, is hosting a new exhibition entitled "Untold Lives", which looks at the often overlooked contributions of the palace staff who supported the English monarchy from 1660 to 1830. The exhibition highlights the behind-the-scenes roles that were crucial to maintaining the life of the palace, from wet nurses to ice pickers and rat killers.

Curated by Sebastian Edwards and Mishka Sinha, the exhibition aims to reveal the stories of these unsung heroes through a collection of unexpected objects. One of the highlights of the exhibition is a large saw used by palace staff Frances Talbot and Louisa Flint to cut ice from rivers and lakes for the royalty's cold drinks and desserts, explains Smithsonian Mag.

"The research for this exhibition has revealed a whole range of fascinating roles and people who have kept the palaces running for centuries," says Edwards. "Their work has been crucial, but their stories remain largely untold, and we now hope to shine a spotlight on them."

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Smithsonian MagazineSmithsonian Magazine

At its height, a British monarch's household could include up to 2,000 people, each performing specific and sometimes unusual functions. The exhibition is divided into themed rooms to manage this vast history.

In the "Care and Intimacy" room, visitors can see an apron worn by Ann Elizabeth Thielcke, Queen Charlotte's chambermaid. The "Skills and Expertise" room features not only the Queen's dress and ice saw, but also a fire bucket from the mid-18th century, in tribute to the servants who saved Kensington Palace from a fire on three separate occasions.

The exhibition also highlights the diversity and uniqueness of the roles in the palace. Nannies cared for and breastfed the royal children, while other roles included a rat killer, a toilet attendant who took care of the monarch's hygiene needs and a wildcat keeper responsible for the pet royal tigers.

With the expansion of the British Empire, the diversity of the royal family's staff increased. A photograph by artist Peter Brathwaite brings to life a black trumpeter and courtier depicted in a painting on the King's Staircase in Kensington. In addition, a series of ceramic plates by artist Matt Smith tells the story of a gentleman who was dismissed from Queen Charlotte's court after being caught in a compromising situation in Hyde Park.

Mishka Sinha stresses the importance of bringing these hidden stories to light. "The legacies of palace workers are often simply invisible. By piecing together fragments of their history and presenting seemingly ordinary objects, we can build a rich tapestry of unique stories of the real people behind the glamor of the court. Their hard physical labor and extraordinary skills ensured the protection and continuity of the royal house," he says.

The exhibition runs until October 27, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the lives of those who kept the royal wheel turning.