Spain's King left with black eye after walking into a door

King Juan Carlos of Spain appeared in public sporting a black eye after "walking into a door" at his royal residence.

The 73-year-old monarch was pictured with the shiner on his left eye and a small sticking plaster on the bridge of his nose at a reception for new ambassadors to Spain on Tuesday.

Royal aides said the King had received the injuries earlier in the day but they were not serious enough to alter his schedule.

The King himself commented on the mishap: "This is what happens when one slams into a door," he said.

Spanish media reported that the accident was in fact the fault of a member of the palace staff, who pushed open the door at the moment the King was opening it from the other side.

"It was an accident and his job is not in danger" said a source at Zarzuela Palace.