October 23rd 2024.
Over the years, King Charles has garnered quite a bit of attention for his hands. Whenever he makes public appearances, people can't help but notice his swollen fingers and feet. It's no surprise that many are curious about the reason behind this, especially since it was quite pronounced during his 2019 tour in India.
Even now, at the age of 75, the King's hands still appear slightly larger than usual during his current tour in Australia and New Zealand. It's not uncommon for him to experience this condition during his foreign trips, especially in hot climates. The long flights can often cause his digits to swell up, and he even joked about his "sausage fingers" during a tour in Australia back in 2012.
Experts have attributed this condition to various factors such as water retention, poor circulation, or even arthritis. During his 2019 tour, his hands were not only swollen but also appeared red, and his signet ring seemed to be tighter than usual. While the official reason behind this has not been disclosed by the King, he seems to find humor in it. In fact, during a documentary about his coronation, his son Prince William struggled with a clasp on his father's outfit, to which Charles quipped, "You don't have sausage fingers like mine."
After concluding their tour in Australia, Charles and his wife Camilla have now arrived in Samoa for a four-day visit. The royal couple traveled to the Polynesian nation, which is hosting a major gathering of Commonwealth leaders. This marks Charles' first visit to Australia as the King, and he will preside over the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for the first time.
On Friday, he will formally open the global summit, but he will not be a part of the discussions between the presidents and prime ministers, including Sir Keir Starmer, which take place informally behind closed doors. Unusually, no advisers or aides will be present during these discussions. As soon as their Royal Australian Air Force plane took off from Sydney, Charles and Camilla posted a message on social media under their names.
Upon their arrival at Faleolo International Airport, they were welcomed by Samoa's prime minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata'afa and a long line of dignitaries, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Charles stood on a dais while the national anthem played, and then inspected two ranks of a guard of honor formed by the Samoa Police Service. Unlike many other Pacific Islands, Samoa does not have armed forces, and Charles took a moment to observe the officers before heading inside for a private meeting with the Samoan prime minister.
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