Royal secret revealed: Is sleep divorce the key to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s long-lasting marriage?

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s lasting marriage may owe credit to a “sleep divorce.” According to royal insiders, the couple maintains separate bedrooms—and even homes at times—to support independence and better rest. Their strong friendship, mutual respect, and time apart help keep their bond solid. Their arrangement mirrors a growing trend embraced by 50% of couples in the US and UK.
Royal secret revealed: Is sleep divorce the key to King Charles and Queen Camilla’s long-lasting marriage?
Image credits: Getty Images
Remember the sleep divorce trend? It seems not only netizens but even royalty believe in the efficiency of couples sleeping separately to not only improve sleep quality but also strengthen their relationship.
Yes, in an interview with Fox News Digital, British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard revealed the secret to King Charles and Queen Camilla's long-standing marriage and companionship, saying, "They have known each other since [they were] very young and are great friends. There is no competitive edge between King Charles and Queen Camilla."
"Devoted Queen Camilla totally supports her husband in everything he carries out (although she would like him to slow down work-wise slightly)," she added.
However, what caught many ears is her statement on the royal couple's sleeping arrangements where they "are privileged to have their own bedrooms as well as their shared bedroom". She added, "They have also sussed out the best sleeping arrangements."
King Charles and Queen Camilla
Image credits: Getty Images

Additionally, as per royal experts, the couple not only enjoys separate bedrooms but also stays in separate homes for some healthy alone time on occasion. "They are both independent people. They don't live in each other's pockets, spending a healthy chunk of their time apart in their country homes." She added, "Camilla enjoys time with her many friends and family, and Charles values private work and creative time."
Ingrid Seward, royal biographer and Majesty magazine editor-in-chief, said to The Sun that the royal couple actually "spend quite a lot of time apart" with the queen going to her country home, Ray Hill in Wiltshire, each weekend. "Before she married Charles, she made a pact with him that she would keep Ray Mill house as her bolthole. She goes every weekend when she can, and she goes during the summer so that she can spend some time with her grandchildren and her children, and it’s something that’s away from the whole royal world," said Seward.
'Sleep divorce' the secret to good marriage?
Image credits: Getty Images

She also noted that Camilla often doesn't go with the king to his Gloucestershire estate in Highgrove at all "unless she and Charles are entertaining together." However, the couple spends the weekend together in London at Clarence House.
Recently, the king and queen celebrated their 20th anniversary on April 9th 2025.
As per ResMed's 2025 Global Sleep Survey, about 50% of couples in the US and UK opt for a sleep divorce. The method is considered useful to enhance relationships as well as sleep quality.
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