King Charles was spotted with a bloodshot eye on Tuesday as he welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron to Windsor. A palace source explained to PEOPLE that the 76-year-old monarch, who was diagnosed with a form of cancer last year, had experienced a burst blood vessel in one of his eyes.
According to GB News, "A spokesperson confirmed the bloodshot appearance was due to a burst blood vessel that developed overnight, stressing it was unrelated to his ongoing cancer treatment and there was no cause for alarm."
Per the Mayo Clinic, a broken blood vessel in the eye "occurs when a tiny blood vessel breaks just underneath the clear surface of your eye" and can be caused by "even a strong sneeze or cough." The Mayo Clinic notes that while it "may look alarming," it is "usually a harmless condition that disappears within two weeks or so."
President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron's state visit to the UK, at the invitation of the King, began on Tuesday, July 8. The couple were greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales, on behalf of of His Majesty, at RAF Northolt, before traveling to Windsor for a ceremonial welcome, where they joined the King and Queen. They then participated in a carriage procession to Windsor Castle, where President Macron was invited to inspect the Guard of Honour. Following a private lunch, the King, Queen and their guests viewed a special display of French related items from the Royal Collection. Charles and Camilla are hosting the French president and his wife at Windsor Castle "due to the Buckingham Palace Reservicing Programme."
Per Buckingham Palace, the last state visit to the UK from France was in March of 2008, when President Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni were Queen Elizabeth's guests at Windsor Castle. King Charles and Queen Camilla, meanwhile, undertook a state visit to France in September 2023, months after their coronation. In a toast during the royals' visit, President Macron said: "The fact that you have chosen to visit France, in the very first months of your reign, is a show of friendship and trust that we value most highly, and which moves us deeply, both as a tribute to our past and a promise for our future."