King Charles Caught in Downpour at Antigua Independence Parade

King Charles stood in a sudden downpour at the start of Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Parade on Sunday evening. He raised his arms and asked members of his staff, “Where’s the umbrella?”

The royal couple arrived at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound shortly before 6.30 pm local time for the 45th anniversary celebrations. Within moments of stepping onto the dais, heavy rain began. Queen Camilla, in a white dress, received an umbrella quickly and moved to covered seating.

Charles remained on the platform. He gestured as if holding an umbrella while waiting. An equerry eventually brought a black umbrella. He then walked onto the cricket pitch, which served as the parade ground, to inspect the Guard of Honour under the continuing rain.

The shower lasted about five minutes. Once it stopped, the programme continued. Crowds cheered as the King returned and waved. Later he told Prime Minister Gaston Browne that he thought he was about to grow watercress on his suit.

The parade forms the centrepiece of the national independence events. Military and uniformed units perform ceremonial drill. After the closing sequence, Charles and Camilla met four West Indies cricketing knights: Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose.

The visit is part of a Caribbean tour that began on Friday. Charles is scheduled to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua on Tuesday. Discussions are expected to cover partnerships and historical questions around slavery.

Antigua and Barbuda remains a Commonwealth realm with the King as head of state. The brief rain delay did not interrupt the formal programme once an umbrella arrived. The moment has circulated widely in images and video from the stadium.