The Queen and Prince Philip slept in separate beds because of this unusual tradition

The couple are thought to have separated before retiring to bed each night because of this unusual tradition

The Queen and Prince Philip reportedly sleep in separate beds because of this unusual tradition

The Queen and Prince Philip's relationship endured the test of time. Her Majesty and Prince Philip were together for an incredible 73 years before he passed away aged 99 at his home in Windsor Castle. Queen Elizabeth and Philip were undoubtedly happy together, but it's been reported that they actually slept in separate beds throughout their marriage. 


It's well known that the Queen and Prince Philip slept in different bedrooms, but do you know the reason behind this? The most recent series of The Crown has everyone talking about the royals again, asking how true is The Crown? And one of the recent lines of inquiries is whether Prince Philip and the Queen did sleep in separate bedrooms. And... it turns out, this one is true! 

It has been reported that the Queen and Prince Phillip didn't share a bed because of a tradition followed by the upper classes. Not only did the monarch and her husband not share a bed, but it’s also believed that they each had separate bedrooms altogether. 

The Queen and Prince Philip reportedly sleep in separate beds because of this unusual tradition

(Image credit: Getty)

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According to Prince Phillip’s cousin Lady Pamela Hicks, members of the upper class, “always have separate bedrooms”.

The aristocrat revealed the upper-class bedroom habits to Sally Bedell Smith for her 2012 biography of the Queen, Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch. Lady Pamela explained, “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.”

The Queen and Prince Philip when they were first married

(Image credit: Getty)

It’s apparently quite common for wealthy couples to have separate bedrooms.

Speaking to Vanity Fair, Miami-based entrepreneur Eric Borukhin also said that sleeping in separate rooms is standard practice among the well-off.

“It’s a matter of convenience, if you can afford it,” Eric said. “If you can have that extra room, it’s basically a luxury.”

He added, “Everybody accepts it as a normal thing.”

But it’s not just the upper classes that like to sleep alone. A YouGov poll from 2018 revealed that one in seven British couples prefer sleeping in a separate bed to their partner to get a better's night's kip. 

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.

Isa Jaward

Isa Jaward is a journalist from London who has written for the likes of Time Out, The Guardian and Music Week.