Buckingham Palace has released a statement following concerns over King Charles' appearance as he welcomed the French President Emmanuel Macron.
King Charles, alongside Queen Camilla and First Lady Brigitte Macron, kicked off the three-day state visit celebrating a millennium of “shared history and culture” between the UK and France with full royal fanfare.
The packed itinerary includes a formal reception at the Royal Dais in Datchet Road, Windsor, and a Royal salute from Home Park and the Tower of London, per the Mirror.
The King, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Macrons will then ride in a carriage procession through Berkshire, making their way along the Long Walk toward Windsor Castle.
Inside the castle’s quadrangle, a ceremonial welcome will see Camilla, William, Kate, and Brigitte Macron watch as King Charles and President Macron review the Guard of Honour.
Afterward, the Royals and the French President will gather for a luncheon in the State Dining Room before viewing a curated exhibition of French-related items from the Royal Collection in the Green Drawing Room.
The French president and his wife will continue their visit in London on Tuesday afternoon, paying their respects at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey and touring the Palace of Westminster, where Macron will address parliamentarians in the Royal Gallery.
The visit will also include meetings with opposition leaders at Lancaster House.
But with all the pomp and ceremony, people couldn't help but notice that King Charles had a bloodshot eye.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson quickly stepped in to reassure the public, confirming there was “no cause for concern” and explaining the redness was due to a burst blood vessel in his right eye that developed overnight.
The Palace also made it clear that “it is not connected to the King’s cancer treatment.”
Earlier this year, the King gave an update on how the battle against his cancer was going.
During a visit to Bradford with Queen Camilla, the monarch met florist Safeena Khan at Impact Hub Yorkshire, a venue supporting businesses that tackle social challenges with sustainable solutions.
Khan, who is herself a former cancer patient, presented the King with a bouquet inspired by the garden at his Highgrove estate.
After their warm exchange, Khan shared with reporters: “He asked me how I was, and I asked him how he was. There were some pleasantries towards the end, but it was a lovely conversation," according to The Mirror.
She added that King Charles gave her a “thumbs up” and said, “I’d like to think I’m on the better side (of my cancer journey)".
King Charles, who was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in early 2024, has been receiving regular outpatient care at the London Clinic.
Although he experienced a brief setback in March with temporary side effects that led to a short hospital stay, he has steadily returned to public duties and appears to be responding positively to treatment.
Speaking to another cancer patient, 22-year-old Stamford Collis, at the Buckingham Palace garden party on May 14, Charles offered a glimpse into how he’s managing his health.
“It’s sometimes about the diet and what you eat. It can help," he shared, according to PEOPLE.
Collis, who is undergoing cancer treatment while studying at Exeter University, added that the King also asked him about radiation treatment and food during their conversation.