Royal Author Reveals That King Charles Replaced His Friend's "Perfectly Appropriate" Furniture With His Own Bed For a Weekend Visit

Overpackers, unite.

King Charles wearing a military uniform standing in front of a tree
(Image credit: Getty Images)

As someone who sheepishly checked into a London hotel with two suitcases, a backpack, a garment bag and four huge shopping bags on a recent trip, I can certainly relate to a heavy packer. But apparently, King Charles is the ultimate overpacker when he heads on a weekend trip. And The King doesn't just bring his own pillow or an insane amount of luggage—in true regal style, the 76-year-old monarch has actually traveled with his own furniture and other bizarre items while visiting friends.

Author Tom Bower revealed what The King brought for a visit to North East England in his book Rebel King—originally titled Rebel Prince (via the Daily Mail). King Charles is so particular about his sleeping arrangements that he "sent his staff ahead a day early with a truck carrying furniture to replace the perfectly appropriate fittings in the guest rooms," Bower wrote.

The author continued that the "truck contained nothing less than Charles and Camilla’s complete bedrooms, including the Prince’s orthopedic bed, along with his own linen." What else was on his packing list? According to Bower, The King's "staff had also made sure to pack 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."

King Charles dressed in a kilt and brown blazer, waving in front of a Scottish flag

The King is quite particular when it comes to his packing list, according to author Tom Bower.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

King charles wearing a gray suit and red tie sitting in a carriage and smiling

King Charles is said to have brought his own bed for a weekend visit to a friend's house.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Along with his favored bottled water, The King also brought his own organic food on his weekend trip, per the author. Needless to say, the monarch's friends might have been put off by the arrangements, with Bower writing, "His hosts decided, despite their enjoyment of his company, not to invite him again."

Author Tina Brown also noted King Charles's extreme preferences in her book The Palace Papers, writing of the monarch—who was Prince of Wales at the time—"Unlike the Queen, who always ate what she was served, the Prince stipulated his menu preferences up-front, and sometimes arrived at dinner with his protection officer bearing a martini premixed and ready to be handed to the butler and served in his own glass."

While it's been rumored that The King insists on having six eggs cooked each day so at least two are cooked to his preference, palace sources have denied the story in the past.

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Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.