Revealed: The extraordinary step taken so the Queen Mother could enjoy her afternoon nap

As King Charles III continues the long-standing tradition of spending part of August at the Castle of Mey, one little-known story from the estate’s royal history recalls how Queen Elizabeth II once intervened to ensure her mother could enjoy uninterrupted afternoon naps.

The Queen Mother spent several weeks each summer at the Castle of Mey in Caithness after purchasing the property in 1952, following the death of King George VI. It quickly became one of her favourite homes and she returned almost every year until shortly before her death in 2002.

During her stays, she regularly enjoyed a midday nap but was occasionally disturbed by the sound of low-flying Royal Air Force aircraft.

Ministry of Defence records released in 2022 revealed that Queen Elizabeth II asked military chiefs to establish a temporary no-fly zone around the Castle of Mey while her mother was in residence.

A Ministry of Defence letter stated: “While we can give no guarantee that aircraft are not seen in the vicinity, this should ensure that Her Majesty is not disturbed.”

It added: “Similar arrangements can be made for future periods when the Queen Mother is in residence. I understand that this is usually during the month of August.”

The arrangement ensured that military aircraft avoided flying low over the castle during the Queen Mother’s annual summer holidays, allowing her to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the remote Highland estate.

Today, King Charles has continued his grandmother’s tradition by spending the first week of August each year at the Castle of Mey. The estate is now managed by The King’s Foundation, which cares for the historic castle and its gardens before reopening them to visitors following the King’s summer stay.

The story remains one of the more unusual examples of the practical measures taken to protect the privacy and comfort of senior members of the Royal Family.