On July 8, the monarch welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, to Windsor. The 76-year-old was joined by his wife, Queen Camilla, as Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton led the ceremonial start of the French state visit.
While the monarch was all smiles as he greeted the French president and his first lady, many royal watchers observed a visible bloodshot appearance in his right eye. Charles is still completing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
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French President Emmanuel Macron speaks to King Charles III, whose eye is red, during a welcome ceremony at Windsor Castle as part of Macron’s state visit to the United Kingdom on July 8, 2025, in Windsor, England. (Dylan Martinez – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
A palace source told Fox News Digital that Charles experienced a burst blood vessel in one eye. They noted it’s unrelated to any other health condition, including his cancer treatment. Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.
Charles was diagnosed with cancer in 2024.
Queen Camilla and King Charles III during the formal welcome at the Royal Dais on July 8, 2025, in Windsor, England. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
A broken blood vessel, or “subconjunctival hemorrhage,” is typically harmless and is similar to having a bruise on your skin, Mayo Clinic reported. According to the outlet, it can be caused by a “strong sneeze or cough” and, while it looks alarming, it clears up on its own within one to two weeks.
Charles didn’t appear to be in any kind of discomfort. Instead, he carried out his royal duties as planned, hosting President and first lady Macron at Windsor Castle with full ceremonial honors, People magazine reported. According to the outlet, a dazzling state banquet is scheduled to take place this evening in St. George’s Hall, with both leaders expected to deliver speeches.
Sources previously told People that the king has been determined to continue public-facing duties as he addresses his health.
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King Charles III travels in a carriage towards Windsor Castle on July 8, 2025. (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
“The thing you learn about this illness is that you just manage it, and that’s what he does,” a royal aide recently said about Charles’s ongoing treatment.
“Medical science has made incredible advances, and I genuinely see no difference in him,” they shared. “As long as you just do what the doctors say, just live your life as normal as possible. That’s exactly what he is doing.”
Charles wasn’t the only one in good spirits.
