Gina Heslop
King Charles’ swollen fingers and toes have been a topic of discussion for many years. It has caused concern, especially now that he is the king. These unique features were noticed from the moment he was born. Even Queen Elizabeth mentioned in a letter that his fingers were large and different from both hers and his father’s.
In 2012, during a visit to Australia, Charles joked about his fingers, calling them “sausage fingers.” After his son William was born, Charles sent a letter to a friend, saying that William had fingers like his, which he found amusing.
Dr. Gareth Nye, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Chester, explained that Charles’ swollen fingers might be due to oedema, a condition where the body retains fluid in the limbs. This condition is common in people over 65 because their ability to control fluid decreases.
Pressing the swollen area for about 15 seconds would create a depression if oedema is the cause. Dr. Nye also mentioned that the swelling could be a sign of arthritis.
In 2019, after a visit to a Sikh temple in New Delhi, people noticed that Charles’ toes were swollen as well. Dr. Nye suggested that this could indicate a more systemic condition, such as cardiovascular issues like heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease. However, it might also be due to prolonged sitting or standing, common in older people, or arthritis affecting the ankles.
Charles has had several accidents over the years that have affected his health. In his book “Spare,” Prince Harry revealed that Charles was involved in a polo accident and was in constant pain. He hurt his back again three years later after falling off a horse at Windsor.
Exercises prescribed by his physiotherapist were the only effective remedy for his neck and back pain. Harry described an incident from his childhood when Charles fell off a horse, was unconscious briefly, and someone saved his life.
In 1998, Charles broke a rib while hunting foxes, and in 2001, he fractured a bone in his shoulder and fell off a horse again, requiring an overnight hospital stay.
Despite these accidents, there are no known chronic health conditions that Charles suffers from. We hope King Charles will avoid future accidents and maintain his health.
