Royal Sleep Secrets: Why The Queen And Prince Part Beds

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were married for over 70 years. It is well known that the couple did not share a bed and even had separate bedrooms. This practice is reportedly a tradition among the British upper classes and aristocracy. Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, confirmed this during an interview for a biography of the Queen, stating that In England, the upper class always have had separate bedrooms.

The Queen and Prince Philip reportedly slept in separate beds and had separate bedrooms

Lady Pamela revealed the upper-class bedroom habits in an interview for Sally Bedell Smith's 2012 biography of the Queen, titled "Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch". She said:

> 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 cozy 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 stated that sleeping in separate rooms is a standard practice among the wealthy. He referred to it as a "matter of convenience" and a "luxury" that is accepted as a "normal thing" within his social circle.

The practice of separate bedrooms is not limited to the upper classes, as a 2018 YouGov poll revealed that one in seven British couples prefer to sleep in separate beds to get a better night's sleep. Factors such as snoring, light sleeping, and duvet-stealing can make separate bedrooms more appealing.

In addition to the upper-class tradition, the Queen and Prince Philip's separate sleeping arrangements may also be attributed to their different lifestyles and engagements. With their busy schedules and distinct roles, having separate bedrooms can provide more convenience and privacy.

This is due to an upper-class tradition that originated in Britain

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who were married for over 70 years, reportedly slept in separate beds and had separate bedrooms. This practice is said to be due to an upper-class tradition that originated in Britain.

Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, confirmed this tradition, stating that the aristocracy "always have separate bedrooms". She elaborated:

> "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 comments were supported by Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin, who referred to separate bedrooms as a luxury. He explained that it is a matter of convenience if one can afford the extra room.

This tradition of separate bedrooms was also observed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during their time at Clarence House, early in their marriage. According to royal biographer Phillip Eade, they had an "interconnecting door" between their bedrooms and "enjoyed the visitation rituals" that this arrangement involved.

While Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip may have chosen to maintain separate bedrooms for much of their married life, it is worth noting that this tradition is not universally followed by the younger generation of royals. For example, Kate Middleton and Prince William are understood to share a bedroom at Kensington Palace.

Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, confirmed this during talks for her biography of the Queen

Lady Pamela Hicks, who is a cousin of Prince Philip and a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II, has provided some interesting insights into the royal couple's sleeping arrangements during interviews for her biography of the Queen.

Lady Pamela, who is the daughter of the Queen's beloved aunt, Lady Mountbatten, confirmed that the Queen and Prince Philip did indeed have separate bedrooms.

The Queen and Prince Philip were once caught in bed together by a palace valet

The Queen and Prince Philip were once caught in an "embarrassing" situation by a palace valet, James MacDonald, who walked in on them in bed together. This incident, which took place during the early years of their marriage while they were still living at Clarence House, was revealed by royal biographer Phillip Eade in his 2011 book, "Young Prince Philip: His Turbulent Early Life".

According to Eade, the couple had separate bedrooms with an interconnecting door, which was a common arrangement for upper-class couples at the time. He explained that the Queen and Prince Philip "enjoyed the visitation rituals" that this system involved.

On the morning of the incident, MacDonald entered Philip's bedroom and was surprised to find the Princess in her husband's bed, wearing her usual silk nightgown, while the Duke of Edinburgh appeared to be naked, as he reportedly often slept. MacDonald is said to have been "embarrassed" by the encounter, but Prince Philip "didn't care at all".

This anecdote highlights a tradition among the upper classes, where couples would have separate bedrooms and only choose to share a bed on occasion. Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, confirmed this tradition to Sally Bedell Smith for her 2012 biography of the Queen, "Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch". She explained that separate bedrooms allowed for privacy and a good night's sleep, uninterrupted by a partner's snoring or movements.

The couple enjoyed the visitation rituals that came with having separate bedrooms

The Queen and Prince Philip's separate bedrooms were in line with an upper-class tradition. According to Lady Pamela Hicks, Prince Philip's cousin, the aristocracy "always have separate bedrooms". She explained that separate bedrooms allow couples to avoid "snoring or someone flinging a leg around". However, the arrangement also has its perks when the couple is "feeling cosy".

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II, who were married for over 70 years, seemed to have enjoyed the visitation rituals that came with having separate bedrooms. In fact, royal biographer Phillip Eade revealed that a palace valet once caught the couple in bed together. The incident, which occurred when the couple was still living at Clarence House at the start of their marriage, left the valet, James MacDonald, "embarrassed".

Eade explained that the couple had separate bedrooms with an interconnecting door between them, an arrangement common among upper-class couples at the time. He added that the Queen and Prince Philip did "enjoy the visitation rituals which that system involves". On this particular occasion, the Queen was wearing her "usual silk nightgown", while Prince Philip, who was not a fan of wearing pyjamas, appeared to be naked.

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