Charles II and the Royal Touch: The King Who Claimed to Heal
After the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, Charles II of England revived an ancient royal tradition known as the “Royal Touch.” Based on the belief that kings and queens possessed a God-given ability to heal illness, particularly scrofula (known as the “King’s Evil”), Charles II personally touched thousands of sufferers during his reign in the hope of curing them.
The ceremony became a powerful symbol of the restored monarchy and the connection between the crown and divine authority. Although modern medicine does not support the idea that the Royal Touch could heal disease, the practice played an important role in 17th-century beliefs about kingship, religion, and the power of the monarchy.

















