After enduring two storms in Britain, King Charles might have expected a Caribbean escape to bring brighter skies.
Instead, the King was drenched when a torrential downpour swept across Antigua and he was left without an umbrella.
His Majesty was attending celebrations for the Caribbean nation’s 45th anniversary of independence.
But moments after arriving at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium, he appeared frustrated as the skies opened and rain began to fall.
Charles raised his arms and called for an umbrella, becoming increasingly agitated as the heavy rain continued.
Queen Camilla was swiftly given her see-through dome umbrella and escorted towards the nearby Royal seating, while her husband continued to signal for assistance.
She later appeared to see the humorous side of the unexpected interruption.
By the time an umbrella finally reached him, the King’s beige summer suit was soaked and rain was streaming down his face.
Charles also made light of the mishap, later quipping: ‘I’ve started growing watercress on my trousers.’
Britain’s King Charles walks through the rain while attending Antigua’s annual Independence Parade at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
A rain-soaked King Charles stood beside Queen Camilla after a downpour began in Antigua
Once an umbrella was found and handed to him, the celebrations were able to continue.
He stoically carried on with the lengthy outdoor engagement, occasionally using his handkerchief to wipe his face.
Charles stood on a small dais while dozens of troops remained at attention on the former cricket pitch, which had been transformed into a parade ground.
His Majesty then took shelter beneath the umbrella as he inspected the service personnel.
When the King returned, the crowd greeted him with cheers, and he responded with a wave.
The downpour stopped as suddenly as it had started, lasting about five minutes before the programme resumed in dry conditions.
Last night, the King and Queen attended Antigua and Barbuda’s annual Independence Ceremonial Parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, commemorating 45 years since the country’s independence.
Held each year, the parade is the centrepiece of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence celebrations.
Later, the Governor–General, Sir Rodney Williams, presented Their Majesties with the National Honourees—individuals recognised for distinguished service to the country and its people in public life, culture, sport, education and community service.
The King and Queen then viewed the parade’s closing ceremonial sequence, before greeting students and four West Indies Cricketing Knights: Sir Viv Richards; Sir Richie Richardson; Sir Andy Roberts; and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Charles and Camilla were cheered by the crowds and acknowledged their warmth with a wave
King Charles III shelters from the rain under an umbrella as he inspects the troops during the annual Independence Ceremonial Parade
King Charles and Queen Camilla, who is holding an umbrella, stand together on the day of the parade at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Cricketing legend Sir Viv – who on Sunday night was announced as a Sustainable Markets Initiative Ambassador, a movement founded by the King to make industry and business more environmentally friendly, said of the Commonwealth meeting and royal visit: ‘It’s just an exciting time for us as people.
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‘It couldn’t be any better having the King and the Queen here. It means a lot to us. It’s a win–win situation.
‘I met him [the King] before at Buckingham Palace and meeting him on my home patch, that I think evens things out.
‘So it’s just great to know that you are with such folks who would have played such a huge part, a part in the world and what they stand for, and having them on our shores. The weather’s good. Couldn’t be, couldn’t get any better than this.’
Cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards spoke of his ‘immense privilege’ to represent the King in Antigua and across the Commonwealth.
The West Indies World Cup winner was invited to meet the King and Queen at the National Stadium that bears his name, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this week.
Regarded as the most talented batsman of his era, winning the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and captaining the side from the mid–1980s until 1991, Sir Vivian appeared alongside fellow West Indies legends, Sir Curtly Ambrose,
Sir Andy Roberts, and Sir Richie Richardson, for a private meeting with Charles and Camilla, followed with an Independence Ceremonial Parade at the stadium.
Greeting Sir Vivian like an old friend, Charles said it was ‘so good to see you again’.
The King was then invited to toss a commemorative coin to decide which side took to the field first, in a cricket match between a selection of Heads of Government played against a team of Caribbean leaders.
The CHOGM match was followed by a game between Commonwealth Future Stars Under–23, showcasing emerging Commonwealth cricketers.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), held every two years, has the theme, Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth, but talks were expected to be dominated by discussions of Andy Burnham’s offer to Commonwealth nations to discuss a slavery apology from Britain.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed ‘my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions’ but ruled out considering financial reparations.
It came after Antigua’s Prime Minister said he personally wanted to see Charles removed as his country’s monarch and insisted reparations should be paid by the UK over slavery.
Gaston Browne was speaking to ITV News after he attended a Sunday morning church service alongside the sovereign and the Queen.
The politician said he had great respect for the British Monarch, but repeated his view that Antigua should replace him as head of state.
‘I can say to you, I am a Republican. So if you asked me about my personal view, I would like to see Antigua and Barbuda become a republic… but I have to recognise and accept the fact that there are certain constitutional provisions to become a republic, and that, ultimately, it is the decision of the people to determine whether or not we become a republic,’ he said.
Sir Viv Richards and King Charles III after tossing the commemorative coin ahead of the Heads of Government T5 exhibition match – between Caribbean leaders playing for the Caribbean Commonwealth Cricket Team and heads of government on the Wider Commonwealth Cricket Team
Charles and Camilla engage in conversation as they attend the annual ceremony at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
Mr Burnham announced on Friday that his government was prepared to talk about an apology – which no British prime minister has done before – but said the British public should not pay compensation for what happened in the past.
Mr Browne said: ‘I understand the politics in the UK, in which it may be a difficult proposition for him to agree to any form of reparations, but that does not negate the need for reparations.’
He insisted that Caribbean nations were ‘not coming to Britain and making demands that you cannot afford’ but he argued the compensation money should be found in Britain’s budget for overseas development.
And he warned about the consequences for the world if Britain did not pay money for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
‘If there is no compensation, there’s likely to be a repeat of those atrocities sometime in the future. And you can see what is happening globally already,’ he said.
The constitution requires more than two–thirds of Antiguans to vote to replace the British Monarch and change the constitution.
‘So until such time as the question is put to them, I have to accept that, you know, King Charles remains. I serve the King, and he will continue to benefit from, you know, all of the courtesies and respect as our King… but again, you know, from time to time we have to test the waters.’