During US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the United Kingdom, King Charles III once again drew attention from the public and royal watchers as his hands and fingers appeared unusually swollen. Princess Catherine, who closely follows royal engagements, reportedly could not hide her concern upon noticing this condition.

Swollen Hands Spark Concern

On the second day of the visit, King Charles hosted President Trump and First Lady Melania at Windsor. Numerous videos and images from the event quickly circulated online. Some footage, including the video released by Buckingham Palace of his state banquet speech, showed the King’s hands appearing what many colloquially refer to as “sausage fingers.”

With the monarch’s health always under scrutiny, especially as he battles cancer, many royal followers wondered: “Why are King Charles’ hands and fingers so swollen?”

Medical Explanation

Dr. Chun Tang, Medical Director at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester, previously explained to the Daily Mail: “Swollen fingers are often a symptom of water retention, which can be caused by various health conditions. This condition arises from inflammation. Other possibilities include high salt intake, allergic reactions, and medication side effects.”

The condition, known medically as dactylitis, can also be associated with edema — fluid retention triggered by salty foods, temperature changes, or certain medications. This helps explain why King Charles’ hands appeared swollen during public appearances.

“Sausage Fingers” Not New

This is not the first time fans and royal watchers have noticed the King’s hands. In fact, the monarch has even joked about the nickname “sausage fingers” himself. In the BBC documentary Charles III: The Coronation Year, Prince William teased his father while adjusting his robe: “On the day, that’s not going to go in,” to which Charles laughed: “No, you don’t have sausage fingers like mine.”

Interestingly, even Queen Elizabeth II had noticed her son’s hands at birth, writing: “They are rather large, but with fine long fingers… It will be interesting to see what they become.”

King Charles’ Health Remains a Concern

The appearance of King Charles with swollen hands has once again raised public concern about the monarch’s health, especially as he continues his battle with cancer. Medical experts advise that monitoring signs of swelling, particularly in older adults or those with medical histories, is important to detect potential health issues early.

Meanwhile, the public continues to follow every royal engagement, with the King’s recent appearance and “sausage fingers” becoming one of the hottest topics on social media.