French President Macron Continues Wearing Sunglasses Amid Eye Issue at NATO Summit
French President Emmanuel Macron has drawn attention for persistently wearing aviator sunglasses during his recent visits and meetings, including at the NATO summit in Turkey on July 5, 2023. Macron was seen wearing the same distinctive blue-tinted sunglasses he first donned earlier this year, and he has not removed them even indoors. Reports from France indicate that Macron is again experiencing an eye problem, the same condition that required him to wear the sunglasses for several days in January.
Macron initially appeared with the sunglasses at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, where he wore them throughout his keynote speech addressing European strength and independence amid threats from then-US President Donald Trump. At that time, Macron’s eyewear became iconic and sparked a surge in demand for the Henry Jullien brand, even causing the manufacturer’s website to crash. Trump mocked Macron’s look, suggesting he was trying to appear tough.
The French president’s office explained in January that the sunglasses were necessary due to an eye condition caused by a burst blood vessel, which was temporary and harmless. Macron humorously compared his appearance to Sylvester Stallone’s character in Rocky, referencing the song "Eye of the Tiger" as a symbol of determination.
Recently, Macron was again seen wearing the sunglasses during a ceremony at the Élysée Palace on June 29 and throughout his visit to Syria, including inside the presidential palace in Damascus and during dinners and tours with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. His continued use of the sunglasses indoors, where sun protection is unnecessary, underscores the ongoing nature of his eye issue. At the NATO summit in Ankara, Macron stood out as the only leader wearing sunglasses indoors among his peers.
The exact nature of Macron’s current eye problem remains unclear, but his consistent use of the sunglasses suggests it persists. The public and media continue to note the president’s distinctive eyewear as a notable aspect of his recent appearances.
