Concerns over King Charles III’s health spiked after he was seen with a visibly bloodshot eye during a formal welcome ceremony for French President Emmanuel Macron. The 76-year-old monarch, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment, appeared alongside Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Kate as they greeted the French leader during his three-day state visit to the UK.
Images from the event showed the King’s eye noticeably red, sparking speculation and concern online. One user on X wrote, “I’ve had a burst blood vessel in my eye before. It happens. No big deal. But Charles looks deeply, deeply unwell. He couldn’t even keep up with Macron when he was inspecting the guards.”
Another simply asked, “Why is this even happening?”
Buckingham Palace quickly moved to address the rumors. A palace insider told the New York Post that the King had suffered a ruptured blood vessel in one eye, a condition unrelated to his ongoing health issues. The source emphasized that it occurred overnight and posed no serious medical concern.
What Causes a Bloodshot Eye?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a subconjunctival hemorrhage—when a small blood vessel breaks just beneath the surface of the eye—can happen without any clear cause. It’s typically harmless, may result from something as simple as coughing or sneezing, and usually clears up within a week or two without treatment.
Macron Welcomed with Royal Pomp
Despite the health concerns, King Charles led a full ceremonial welcome for Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron, including a horse-drawn carriage procession at Windsor Castle. The French President and his wife are scheduled to have lunch with the Royals in the State Dining Room, followed by an elegant state banquet in St. George’s Hall.
The visit marks the first official state visit to the UK by an EU head of state since Brexit, underscoring Britain’s efforts to rebuild relations with the bloc it formally left in 2020. The invitation came directly from King Charles and is seen as a key moment in diplomatic relations between the UK and France.
