Concerns about King Charles III’s famously swollen fingers have resurfaced, particularly during his recent state visit to France with Queen Camilla.
The monarch’s hands, which he has humorously dubbed “sausage fingers,” have long intrigued royal watchers and sparked endless speculation online.
As the couple arrived in Paris, many fans once again took to social media to express their worries about the king’s unusual hand condition.
During a gala dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron, King Charles seemed unfazed by the chatter surrounding his hands.
In fact, this is not the first time royal enthusiasts have speculated about the state of his fingers.
Earlier this year, “sausage fingers” even ranked as the seventh most-searched term on Google.
Despite the scrutiny, the king appeared confident and relaxed at the Black Tie Gala held at the Palace of Versailles.
The origins of the nickname date back to 2012 when then-Prince Charles made light of his swollen hands after a long-haul flight to Australia.
Since that moment, the question of what causes this swelling has prompted numerous discussions among fans and medical professionals alike.
While King Charles has never publicly addressed the issue, many have speculated about the reasons behind his condition, especially after he was photographed pouring a pint during a royal engagement in 2021.
Recently, Dr. Chun Tang, a general practitioner and medical director at Paul Mall Medical in Manchester, shed some light on the potential causes of the king’s swollen fingers.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dr. Tang explained that water retention can lead to swelling in the fingers, which may stem from a variety of health issues.
He noted that inflammation could be a result of conditions such as arthritis, bacterial infections, or even tuberculosis.
Dr. Tang elaborated on other possible factors contributing to the swelling, including high salt intake, allergic reactions, side effects from medications, injuries, and autoimmune disorders.
Interestingly, there is a medical term for the severe swelling affecting fingers and toes: dactylitis.
This term could certainly apply to King Charles’ condition, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing discussion.
Despite the medical concerns, the king has maintained a light-hearted attitude toward his hands.
In a letter penned after the birth of Prince William, he humorously remarked on the resemblance between their fingers, calling them “sausage-shaped.”
His late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, also commented on the size of Charles’ hands, describing them as “quite large” but with “long, fine fingers,” a stark contrast to her own.
The topic gained renewed attention during King Charles’ coronation, where observers speculated whether his decision to wear only one glove was related to his swollen fingers.
However, it was later clarified that this was merely a traditional aspect of the ceremony, not a reflection of any medical issue.
The fascination with King Charles’ hands has even inspired some lighthearted jabs from the public, including a company that created a vape modeled after the monarch’s fingers.
Meanwhile, some royal fans claimed to have spotted the king’s digits in his coffee cup on coronation day, further fueling the playful banter surrounding this peculiar royal trait.
While the king has not officially confirmed the cause of his swollen fingers, the combination of humor, speculation, and medical insight makes for a captivating narrative.
Related Stories
