Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have a VERY strange thing in their house

Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles have a private residence called Highgrove House near the sleepy town of Tetbury in Gloucestershire. The Georgian mansion boasts nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, four reception rooms and a swimming pool. However, it also has another addition which the vast majority of properties would never have, a royal expert has said. The feature is to ensure the safety of the royal couple in the event of a terror attack.

According to Brian Hoey’s book about the royal family, ‘Not in Front of the Corgis,’ Highgrove boasts a “steel-lined room, which is said to be impregnable in the event of an attack by terrorists.”

The room is on the first floor and is 20ft by 20ft. It is referred to as the Iron Room, despite being made of steel.

Hoey writes the room, “has been so built that even if the rest of the houses destroyed, it will drop intact to the ground floor.”

He adds: “Inside are medical supplies, including containers of Charles and Camilla’s blood group, long-lasting food and drinks, an armoury, radio transmitters equipped to obtain a signal even within its steel walls, air purifiers and chemical lavatories.”

Should the Duke and Duchess have to hide in the room, they could, if necessary, survive for weeks.

Hoey claims the Iron Room is the only part of Highgrove that isn’t shown to visitors.

According to the Duchy of Cornwall website, Charles chose to live in Gloucestershire because of its easy access to London, Wales and other parts of Britain, including the western counties where the Duchy has most of its properties.

“A specially built reed bed sewage system, much loved by dragonflies at its treatment end, is used for all Highgrove’s waste,” said the site.

“Rare trees and plants are grown for future generations to enjoy, and heritage seeds are planted to ensure these varieties continue to flourish.

“This ethically and environmentally conscious approach is carried through to the management of the house, where energy-saving bulbs and solar lights are used where appropriate, and all kitchen waste goes through the composting system. Biomass boilers and ground and air source heat pumps provide heating and hot water.”

In the days when Camilla used to smoke, the Duchess gave footmen precise instructions when it came to the couple’s homes.

According to Hoey: “Footmen [were] instructed to place silver cigarette boxes containing her favourite brand [of cigarette] in every room.”

The staff also had to “make sure that matchbox holders in solid silver containers [were] placed upright near at hand with one match half withdrawn so she [didn’t] have to scrabble about looking for a light.”

The footmen weren’t just there to get the smoking paraphernalia prepared for her – they also tidied up after her.

“The moment she [left] the room – even if just for a few minutes – a footman [would make] sure the ashtrays [were] emptied, ready for her return.”

Hoey added that Camilla’s cigarette bill came to over £100 a week – and it was the one extravagance of hers that Charles disliked.