Daily rituals under scrutiny

What does a day in the life of a monarch look like? According to Omid Scobie’s 2023 book Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival, King Charles’ routine includes some unusual — and allegedly “ridiculous” — demands.

Scobie, a journalist known for supporting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, alleged that Charles, then Prince of Wales, required staff to help him prepare for bed. One claim suggested he “likes to have someone squeeze exactly one inch of toothpaste onto his toothbrush” every night, dispensed from a “crested silver dispenser.” Buckingham Palace never responded to the allegations.

Eggs, sheets, and shoelaces

The book also painted a picture of precise expectations in Charles’ household. His soft-boiled eggs were said to be cooked for exactly four minutes — “no more, no less” — or they would be rejected in anger. His bed reportedly required perfectly steamed, 1,000-thread-count sheets, and his pajamas had to be freshly pressed.

Even his shoes, Scobie wrote, were never thrown away but restored by a cobbler when worn. In one of the odder details, shoelaces were claimed to be ironed.

Past claims and debunked rumors

Scobie’s account echoed earlier stories. Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, once said Charles demanded his bathwater be drawn “just tepid,” half full, and with the plug positioned in a certain way.

Other rumors, however, have been debunked — including the suggestion that Charles travels with his own toilet seat and paper. The King himself dismissed that claim, and Queen Camilla laughed it off as nonsense.

With those myths disproven, whether Charles truly had his toothpaste squeezed for him remains doubtful. Still, the image of a monarch with such exacting rituals continues to fuel fascination — and amusement — around his daily life.