The King was left soaked in torrential rain during a royal engagement in Antigua, repeatedly asking aides for an umbrella as Queen Camilla headed for shelter
King Charles was left looking decidedly less than amused after being caught in a torrential downpour during an official engagement in Antigua, with the monarch appearing to make a pointed three-word request as Queen Camilla walked away with an umbrella.
The King, 77, was attending Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th Independence Day celebrations when the weather took an unexpected turn, leaving him standing in the rain as guests and officials scrambled for cover.
The royal couple had arrived at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound shortly before 6.30pm local time on Sunday. However, as the national anthem began, heavy rain swept across the parade ground, quickly soaking those gathered for the ceremony.
Camilla, 79, dressed in a white gown by designer Anna Valentine, appeared to gesture for an umbrella before a personal protection officer handed her a transparent, dome-shaped one.
She then made her way towards the covered seating area, while Charles remained standing on the exposed platform in his light-coloured suit.
According to footage from the event, the King appeared increasingly frustrated as he waited for someone to bring him protection from the rain. He was heard repeatedly asking, ‘Where’s the umbrella?’ while gesturing towards members of his team.
At one point, he even appeared to mime holding an umbrella above his head in an effort to get his message across.
King Charles left soaked as aides rush to find umbrella
The monarch was eventually handed a black umbrella by his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, allowing him to continue with the engagement.
According to reports, the delay was partly down to Antiguan custom, which required attendees to remain still and silent during the national anthem. The downpour lasted around five minutes before easing.
Despite the rather uncomfortable start to the ceremony, Charles carried on with his royal duties, inspecting the Guard of Honour beneath his newly acquired umbrella.
The moment prompted plenty of discussion online, particularly after footage showed Camilla heading towards shelter while her husband remained exposed to the elements.
However, Charles appeared to see the funny side once the worst of the weather had passed.
Speaking to Antigua’s Prime Minister, the King reportedly joked that he was ‘growing watercress on my trousers’, a reference to just how thoroughly soaked his clothes had become.
Camilla was also said to have laughed about the effect the rain had on her hair.
Why King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting Antigua
The rain-soaked appearance formed part of the King’s autumn tour of the Caribbean, which also included visits to the Bahamas and Guyana.
Charles and Camilla were in Antigua and Barbuda to take part in the country’s 45th Independence Day celebrations, marking the anniversary of its independence from Britain in 1981.
The King remains the Caribbean nation’s head of state, and the celebrations brought together military personnel, cadets, scouts and other uniformed groups at the cricket stadium.
Their visit also formed part of the wider Commonwealth programme, with the royal couple scheduled to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The gathering brings together leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss issues including economic development, trade, climate resilience and international cooperation.
While the sudden downpour may not have been part of the official itinerary, Charles managed to complete the ceremonial inspection, with his search for an umbrella providing an unexpected talking point from the visit.
