Royals' Separate Sleeping Arrangements: Ancient Tradition Or Modern Convenience?

It has been reported that some members of the British royal family sleep in separate beds and have separate bedrooms. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, for example, had separate bedrooms throughout their marriage. This is due to an upper-class tradition, according to Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin. She explained that in England, the upper class always have had separate bedrooms. You don’t want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then when you are feeling cosy you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose.

It's an upper-class tradition

It is a well-known fact that the Queen and Prince Philip slept in different bedrooms. This is due to an unusual upper-class tradition. According to Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, the aristocracy "always have separate bedrooms". She further explained that ""In England, the upper class always have had separate bedrooms. You don’t want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then, when you are feeling cosy you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose."

Lady Pamela's claims were supported by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who revealed that separate bedrooms are a ""luxury"" and a "matter of convenience" for wealthy couples who can afford the extra room. He added that "everybody accepts it as a normal thing" within his and his wife Mia's social circle.

This tradition of separate bedrooms is not limited to the British upper classes, as it has also been depicted in the Netflix series The Crown, which is based on the lives of Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. The show portrays the Queen and Prince Philip as having separate bedrooms joined by a door, allowing them to move between the rooms without stepping into a hallway.

Furthermore, it is not just a tradition of the past, as more recent reports indicate that even after 70 years of marriage, the Queen and Prince Philip continued to maintain separate bedrooms in their residence at Windsor Castle. This arrangement allowed Prince Philip to lead a somewhat separate life during his retirement, mostly spending his time at Wood Farm, a modest cottage on the Sandringham estate.

While the tradition of separate bedrooms may seem unusual to some, it is a practice that has been followed by the upper classes, including the royal family, for generations. It is seen as a luxury and a way to ensure undisturbed sleep, with the option to share a room when desired.

Convenience and luxury

As Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip’s cousin, explains, it is a matter of being able to choose: "You don't want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then, when you are feeling cosy, you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose."

This tradition is not limited to the upper classes, with one in seven British couples choosing to sleep in separate beds, according to a 2018 YouGov poll. Separate bedrooms are becoming increasingly popular due to factors like snoring and light sleeping, and the luxury of having one's own space.

The convenience of having separate bedrooms is further emphasised by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who notes that it is standard practice among wealthy couples: "It's a matter of convenience, if you can afford it... If you can have that extra room, it is basically a luxury."

Indeed, the tradition of separate bedrooms for royals and aristocrats can be seen as a reflection of their wealth and privilege. Buckingham Palace, for example, is large enough to accommodate multiple rooms for the King and Queen, each with their own bedroom and sitting room, even featuring separate staircases.

While the tradition of separate bedrooms may offer convenience and luxury, it is not always indicative of the state of a couple's relationship. For example, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were married for over 70 years and reportedly enjoyed spending quality time together, even while maintaining separate bedrooms.

To avoid being disturbed by their partner

It is a well-known fact that the Queen and Prince Philip slept in different bedrooms. This is due to an unusual upper-class tradition. According to Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, the aristocracy "always have separate bedrooms". She further explained that "you don't want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around".

This tradition is not limited to the upper classes, as a YouGov poll from 2018 revealed that one in seven British couples prefer sleeping in separate beds to get a better night's sleep. Sleeping in separate bedrooms is becoming increasingly popular among couples due to factors like snoring and light sleeping. With no duvet stealing or being woken up by someone else’s alarm, having separate bedrooms may not be such a bad idea.

Lady Pamela also added that "then, when you are feeling cosy, you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose." This sentiment was echoed by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who revealed that separate bedrooms are a "luxury" and a "matter of convenience" for those who can afford them.

It is important to note that while royals and aristocrats may have separate bedrooms, this does not mean they always sleep in separate beds. For example, in the Netflix series *The Crown*, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are shown to have separate bedrooms, but there is also a scene where they wake up in the same bed. Similarly, in the film *The Queen*, there is a scene where the Queen and Prince Philip are shown sleeping in the same bed.

To maintain a good night's sleep

Maintaining a good night's sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. For royals and aristocrats, getting a full night of uninterrupted sleep takes priority, and they achieve this through a unique tradition: sleeping in separate bedrooms. This practice, born out of upper-class British tradition, ensures that partners don't disturb each other with snoring or restless legs.

The tradition of separate bedrooms is not limited to the upper classes; it is a practice that has gained traction among couples from various socioeconomic backgrounds. In a 2018 YouGov poll, one in seven British couples reported that they preferred sleeping in separate beds to get a better night's sleep. This trend is becoming increasingly popular due to factors such as snoring and differences in sleep schedules.

For royals, the luxury of space is often a non-issue, and separate bedrooms are a common feature in their residences. Buckingham Palace, for example, has a master bedroom suite with multiple rooms, including separate bedrooms and sitting rooms for the King and Queen, connected by a private door. This setup allows for privacy and a peaceful night's rest without the need to worry about disturbing their partner.

While the tradition of separate bedrooms may seem unusual to some, it is a matter of convenience and personal preference. As Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, explained, "It is lovely to be able to choose" when and with whom you share your bedroom. This sentiment is echoed by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who considers separate bedrooms a "luxury" and a "matter of convenience" for those who can afford the extra space.

Ultimately, the tradition of separate bedrooms among royals and aristocrats is a practical solution to ensure a good night's sleep. By prioritising sleep quality, they can approach their royal duties and daily lives with renewed energy and focus.

To have the option to share a room when they feel like it

The choice to sleep in separate beds is a long-standing tradition among the upper classes in Britain. According to Lady Pamela Hicks, the cousin of Prince Philip, "the upper class always have had separate bedrooms". She elaborated further on this tradition, explaining that:

> "You don't want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then, when you are feeling cosy, you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose."

Lady Pamela's claims are supported by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who asserts that separate bedrooms are a "luxury" and a "matter of convenience" for those who can afford them. He notes that within his and his wife Mia's social circle, "everybody accepts it as a normal thing".

Indeed, separate bedrooms for married couples were once common among those with the means to afford them. This practice is still observed by the British royal family, with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip maintaining separate bedrooms throughout their marriage. However, this does not necessarily mean that they always slept apart, as separate bedrooms offer the option to share a room when they feel like it.

This tradition is depicted in the Netflix series *The Crown*, which portrays the Queen and Prince Philip as having separate bedrooms connected by a private door. This arrangement allows them the flexibility to move between their rooms without having to use a hallway. Similarly, at their home in Highgrove, Charles and Camilla are said to have their own separate bedrooms as well as a shared room, giving them the option to sleep together or apart as they choose.

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