The Queen’s sleep and exercise routine could be the reason for her long life

The Queen's rigid sleep and exercise routine could be to thank for her long life, according to health experts. 

• The Queen's impressive lifespan could be owed to her healthy lifestyle, according to research. 
• Her Majesty, who turns 96 in April, has followed a strict bedtime and exercise routine for decades. 
• In other royal news, the Queen's pudding competition—how to get involved and which bakes will be popular.

The Queen's lifespan could be a direct result of her excellent sleep and fitness habits, according to health researchers. 

The 95-year-old, who will become the first-ever monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee in February, has reportedly followed a strict bedtime regime throughout her impressive seven-decade reign. Her Majesty typically retires to her slumber at about 11pm to guarantee a solid 8.5 hours of rest—an absolute must for the hardworking royal matriarch—and arises every morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. 

The Queen's decision to prioritize her shut-eye is likely a tactical one. Research has shown that lack of adequate sleep over time can lead to a shortened lifespan, with those averaging five hours of sleep or less significantly increasing their risk of mortality.  

It's been reported that the Queen also keeps a hot-water bottle between her sheets, to help relax any tense muscles and keep her snug during the chilly British nights. 

Another key hack Her Majesty uses to optimize her ZZZs is to sleep solo. While it's no secret that the Queen is hitting the mattress alone these days (Prince Philip sadly died aged 99 in April) it's understood that she’s been in the practice of solitary dozing by herself for decades now. 

"In England, the upper class always had separate bedrooms," the monarch's cousin, Lady Pamela Hicks, explained in 2011. “You don’t want to be bothered with snoring or someone flinging a leg around. Then when you are feeling cozy you share your room sometimes. It is lovely to be able to choose.”

With such an effective sleep pattern in place, the Queen has plenty of energy to maintain a consistent exercise routine. Her Majesty apparently logs her cardio with regular walks around the grounds of Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace, either alone or in the company of her precious corgis. She has also long been fond of horseback riding, an activity that can surprisingly burn up to 400 calories an hour. 

Of course, with the Queen approaching her 96th birthday in April, it would only make sense that her stamina has slowed down in recent years. She was forced to cancel several public engagements after suffering a number of health concerns last year and was even hospitalized overnight for "preliminary investigations" in October. 

Despite these alarming setbacks, Her Majesty has managed to continue many of her royal duties virtually from home—a lofty feat at such an advanced age. The Queen is now likely preserving her energy for her Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend in June, which will see her attend a number of high-profile events over the course of four days in London.