King Charles (seen with a bloodshot eye) and Queen Camilla attend the formal welcome at Windsor. Photo / Getty Images
King Charles (seen with a bloodshot eye) and Queen Camilla attend the formal welcome at Windsor. Photo / Getty Images
IN LONDON
King Charles appears to have suffered from a burst blood vessel in his eye as he stepped into the spotlight to host a high-profile state visit.
The British monarch, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, was sporting a bright red right eye in pictures taken as hewelcomed French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, First Lady Brigitte, to Windsor on Tuesday.
President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron, King Charles and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the formal welcome at Windsor. Photo / Getty Images
The Sun reported that his eye was affected overnight before the visit and is unrelated to any other health conditions.
The King was joined by the Queen and Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, in a royal carriage procession with the Macrons.
After the carriage procession, Macron and his wife had lunch with the royal family at Windsor Castle.
King Charles and President Emmanuel Macron arrive at the Ceremonial Welcome at Windsor Castle. Photo / Getty Images
It marks the first time a state visit has been hosted at that royal residence, rather than Buckingham Palace, in more than a decade. It’s also the first French state visit to the UK in almost 20 years, following former President Nicolas Sarkozy’s 2008 visit.
After lunch, Macron laid a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey before heading to the Palace of Westminster to address the British Parliament.
On Tuesday evening, UK time, he and his wife will be the guests of honour at a State Banquet at Windsor Castle.
Meanwhile, details of the four gifts brought to Windsor by Macron for the King have been revealed, with each piece carefully chosen to reflect his personal interests.
It includes a rare, special edition of Claude Debussy’s opera, Pelléas et Mélisande, which features a handwritten dedication from the original publisher to one of the performers, a ceremonial trumpet associated with the French National Guard, a personalised, luxury watercolour box and a gourmet hamper of sweet and savoury delicacies from France.
