King Charles' fingers have prompted worry among people on social media this week. Users have been left concerned over how swollen and red the new monarch's fingers appear in pictures.
But a doctor has now explained the possible reasons behind the ailment. Dr Gareth Nye has shared a number of possible explanations for the swelling and explained what it means for his future.
The new King could be suffering from oedema from old age or even arthritis, the medical expert said. But it's unlikely any of the reasons should 'concern' the public, reports The Daily Star.
Read more: Will King Charles' Coronation day be a bank holiday as he formally takes the throne
"Oedema is a condition where the body starts to retain fluids in the limbs, normally the legs and ankles but also in the fingers, which causes them to swell," Dr Gareth Nye told the newspaper. "To see if this is the cause, pressing the swollen area for about 15 seconds would cause a depression in the area."
"Arthritis - another common condition in the over 60s. It often affects three main areas in the hand - the thumb joint or either joints in the fingers," he said. "Fingers usually become stiff, painful and swollen and although medication can help with the pain, the swelling can remain.'"
Swollen fingers is something the King has suffered from for many years. In fact, the monarch himself even jokingly called them his 'sausage fingers' back in 2012 while on tour in Australia.
The swollen fingers are particularly noticeable after he has spent long periods flying or travelling to hot countries, reports The Mirror. When Charles was born in November 1948, the Queen wrote a letter to her former music teacher, outlining the fact her newborn had an 'interesting pair of hands for a baby'.
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