When King Charles travels, he not only packs clothes and essentials for a trip away from Buckingham Palace, but also a truck-load of furniture to ensure he gets the best night's sleep possible.
The 77-year-old monarch is extremely particular when it comes to what he rests his head on in the evenings, so much so that he apparently carts around his own bed frame and linens when he visits friends.
His wife, Queen Camilla, 78, also travels with her bedroom fittings, down to an orthopaedic mattress and even paintings of the Scottish Highlands for whichever walls they spend the late hours resting on.
Alongside a pillow, the King makes sure he feels at home on weekend trips away with his spouse, right down to his toilet seat and other bizarre details.
Ahead of a previous visit to the North East, investigative journalist Tom Bower revealed in his book, Rebel King, that Charles "sent his staff ahead a day early with a truck carrying furniture to replace the perfectly appropriate fittings in the guest rooms".
He added that the royal's truck "contained nothing less than Charles and Camilla’s complete bedrooms, including the King’s orthopaedic bed, along with his own linen".
© PA Images via Getty ImagesTom also explained that the convoy of temporary movers carried "a small radio, Charles’s own lavatory seat, rolls of Kleenex Premium Comfort lavatory paper, Laphroaig whisky and bottled water (for both bedrooms), plus two landscapes of the Scottish Highlands", with them as they headed north.
The author suggested that the King was a fussy houseguest on this occasion, bringing with him his own organic food. Tom revealed that his hosts were less than impressed, stating, "his hosts decided, despite their enjoyment of his company, not to invite him again".
King Charles's strict routine
Aside from his particular travel habits, the King shares his penchant for routine and ritual with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
During a rare interview in October 2023, Camilla's son, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Tom Parker Bowles, revealed an insight into the monarch's evening time non-negotiable.
© Getty ImagesHe told People that afternoon tea at 5:00 pm was of "primary importance", adding: "It's not just a cup of tea - it's an entire meal. There are sandwiches, two different kinds of cake, scones, biscuits, shrimp and eggs."
Another of his food quirks comes at lunchtime, a meal he refuses to eat, according to former royal correspondent Gordon Rayner. He suggested that the royal believes that lunch is a "luxury" and interrupts his busy work schedule.
