Throughout her amazing seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth is said to have adhered to a rigid sleep routine. Her Majesty usually goes to bed about 11 p.m. to get a full 8.5 hours of sleep—an important must for the diligent royal matriarch—and wakes up feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the day.
The Queen’s decision to prioritise her sleep is most likely tactical. According to research, a lack of appropriate sleep can lead to a shorter lifespan over time, with people averaging five hours of sleep or less greatly increasing their risk of dying.
The Queen is reportedly said to put a hot water bottle between the sheets to assist relax any tight muscles and keep her warm during the cold British evenings.
Another essential strategy Her Majesty does to improve her ZZZs is to sleep alone. While it’s no secret that the Queen is sleeping alone these days (Prince Philip died in April at the age of 99), it’s also widely assumed that she’s been doing so for decades.
In 2011, the monarch’s cousin, Lady Pamela Hicks, noted, “In England, the top class traditionally had separate bedrooms.” “You don’t want to be disturbed by snoring or someone flailing their legs. Then, when you’re feeling really comfy, you share your room from time to time. It’s wonderful to have the option.”
The Queen has enough energy to keep a steady workout regimen with such an efficient sleep plan in place. Her Majesty appears to get her cardio in by taking regular walks about the grounds of Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, either alone or with her beloved corgis. She has also always enjoyed horseback riding, an exercise that may burn up to 400 calories each hour.
Of all, as the Queen approaches her 96th birthday in April, it’s only natural that her energy has waned in recent years. She was forced to reschedule many public appearances last year after experiencing a series of health issues, and she was even hospitalised overnight in October for “preliminary examinations.”
Her Majesty appears to get her cardio in by taking regular walks about the grounds of Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, either alone or with her beloved corgis. She has also always enjoyed horseback riding, an exercise that may burn up to 400 calories each hour.
