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British RoyalsQueen Elizabeth II

The Queen once slept on the sofa in servant’s quarters while top aides had a row

Most of us have spent a restless night on the sofa for one reason or another, but according to a story only now revealed at a funeral, so has The Queen.

Friends of Her Majesty’s assistant dresser of 35 years, Peggy Hoath, gathered at her December funeral at Royal Chapel of All Saints in Windsor Great Park, sharing the surprising tale.

At the service, former royal colleagues told how a nightgown-clad Queen crept down to the servant’s quarters to try and get some shut-eye while two of her favourite aides carried on a loud row.

According to the Daily Mail, a royal source said: “Peggy had a friendly rivalry with another dresser called May Prentice, and they were always vying for The Queen’s attention and arguing among themselves. They were trying to be top dog, if you like, and it was mostly on good terms but sometimes it got a bit out of hand.”

“One night when The Queen was staying at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh [her official residence in Scotland], she suddenly turned up in the Page’s Vestibule [an ante-chamber for staff]. No-one could believe their eyes when she arrived in her nightie wrapped in her bedclothes and blanket. She just said, ‘I’ve got to get some sleep,’ and settled down on the sofa.”

The two dressers were arguing so loudly, said the source, that The Queen decided to move to another room rather than interrupt the row.

“She was very fond of Peggy and obviously couldn’t bring herself to criticise her,” said the source. “Everyone just looked at each other and shuffled out of the room to let The Queen sleep.”

Ms. Hoath had been employed by designer Norman Hartnell and worked on The Queen’s coronation gown when Her Majesty discovered the woman’s talent.

Margaret ‘Bobo’ MacDonald, The Queen’s dresser and former nanny, borrowed Hoath from Hartnell to help with the 1959 tour of Canada. The Queen was so impressed by her performance on the tour that she invited Hoath to work for the palace full-time.

Hoath faithfully served The Queen until her retirement, and was given a grace-and-favour home on the Windsor estate. She was 89-years-old.

About author

Kristin was Chief Reporter for Royal Central until 2022 and has been following the British royal family for more than 30 years. Kristin has appeared in UK and U.S. media outlets discussing the British royals including BBC Breakfast, BBC World News, Sky News, the Associated Press, TIME, The Washington Post, and many others.