King Charles III sometimes sleeps in a separate room from his wife, Queen Camilla, due to a little-known health condition affecting his breathing at night, a royal author has revealed.
The Royal Health Revelation
In his new book, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty, author Robert Jobson discloses that the monarch suffers from a "draining sleep apnoea". This condition causes a person's breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep, leading to potential fatigue and poor concentration if left untreated.
To manage this, the King now relies on a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This device delivers a steady stream of air to keep the user's airways open, preventing dangerous breathing interruptions throughout the night.
A Life-Changing Intervention
According to Jobson, the King's energy levels transformed after he began using the CPAP machine. The device was reportedly introduced to him by former US Vice President Al Gore during a visit to Highgrove.
"He now swears by the device," Jobson wrote. However, the author also noted that the machine's use means that Charles and Camilla sometimes sleep apart.
This is not the first time the King's struggle with exhaustion has been in the public eye. In the 2018 BBC documentary Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, his son Prince Harry revealed that his father would sometimes fall asleep at his desk with papers stuck to his face due to sheer tiredness.
Maintaining a Busy Schedule with Humour
Despite these health challenges, King Charles has maintained a remarkably busy schedule. The book details that he often uses humour when discussing his health with friends, joking that he has reached a "worryingly decrepit stage" of life.
Those close to him understand that behind this self-deprecating wit lies a serious acknowledgment of his wellbeing needs.
This openness sheds light on sleep apnoea, a common condition among older adults. If untreated, it can increase the risk of more serious health issues like heart disease and stroke.
The King's health has been a focal point of public concern since he was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer in February 2024. He began treatment immediately and temporarily withdrew from public duties, though he continued his constitutional work as head of state.
He resumed his public engagements at the end of April 2025, making a significant appearance with Camilla at a cancer treatment centre.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on these latest health revelations. The NHS advises that lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and reducing alcohol consumption, can sometimes help treat sleep apnoea.
