Queen Camilla was seen laughing uncontrollably after King Charles became the centre of attention following an umbrella mishap during a Caribbean downpour earlier this week.
Footage of the Queen seeking shelter after being drenched at an Independence Parade in Antigua on Sunday has delighted royal watchers, who praised her good humour after her husband’s light-hearted reaction.
The royal couple had gathered at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium for a ceremony marking Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence when the sudden rain began.
In a moment quickly dubbed “Umbrella-gate”, the King was filmed waving urgently and telling staff to “bring it” after the storm left him soaked.
While Queen Camilla hurried towards the royal seating area beneath an umbrella, Charles remained alone on the podium. He turned towards officials and gestured in frustration as he paced back and forth, appearing to ask: “Where’s the umbrella?”
The monarch even mimed holding an umbrella before his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, returned from the stands with one retrieved from the rest of the entourage.
By that point, however, Charles was already drenched, and his lightweight summer suit appeared almost transparent in places.
Camilla seemed to regard the incident with amusement rather than share her husband’s apparent frustration. She was filmed laughing as she tried to dry herself off.
Queen Camilla was seen in fits of laughter after King Charles became soaked during the Caribbean downpour earlier this week
In the scene dubbed “Umbrella-gate”, the King waved urgently and told staff to “bring it” after being caught in the rain
Footage of Camilla taking shelter after being drenched at the Independence Parade delighted royal watchers, who praised her sense of humour
Still chuckling, Camilla held out her hands and at one point looked towards the sky as though unable to believe the intensity of the rainfall.
The storm appeared to have done little to disturb her makeup, although her hair was affected by the wet conditions. Even so, the Queen appeared to embrace the mishap.
Charles also seemed to take the soaking in good spirits, later joking: “I’ve started growing watercress on my trousers.”
The umbrella incident was seen as an unusual lapse in Buckingham Palace’s normally well-drilled arrangements, particularly given the significance of the occasion.
Aides would ordinarily be expected to monitor the forecast and make sure an umbrella was available immediately.
The King’s soaking came as the Caribbean faces an increasingly intense political debate over calls for Britain to pay reparations for slavery.
Ministers are under growing pressure on the issue after Andy Burnham indicated support for an official apology for Britain’s role in slavery.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, however, has said Britain has “had enough of apologising” for its past and rejected demands for reparations.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, has repeatedly said he wants Charles to cease being the country’s head of state.
The royal couple attended a ceremony at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium marking Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence when the sudden rain began
Camilla hurried towards the royal seating area beneath an umbrella, leaving Charles alone as he gestured towards staff and appeared to ask: “Where’s the umbrella?”
Rather than appearing frustrated, Queen Camilla seemed amused by the ordeal and laughed as she attempted to dry off
Speaking to ITV, he said: “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…”
“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.”
Charles initially appeared frustrated when the rain arrived shortly after he reached the stadium, throwing up his arms and asking for an umbrella.
His smile soon returned, however, as he met Sir Vivian Richards and other West Indies cricket legends.
Once an umbrella was located and handed to him, the ceremony continued.
The King 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 converted into a parade ground.
He later used the umbrella as he inspected the service personnel.
When Charles returned, the crowd cheered and he acknowledged them with a wave.
The rain stopped almost as quickly as it had begun. It lasted for roughly five minutes, allowing the celebrations to continue in dry conditions.
Charles even mimed holding an umbrella before his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, retrieved one from the entourage in the stands and handed it to him
The downpour lasted for around five minutes before ending, allowing the programme of celebrations to resume in dry weather
The parade is the centrepiece of Antigua and Barbuda’s annual independence celebrations.
Later, Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams presented Their Majesties with the National Honourees, recognising people who have provided distinguished service to the country across public life, culture, sport, education and community work.
The King and Queen watched the parade’s closing ceremonial sequence before meeting students and four West Indies cricketing knights: Sir Viv, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Cricket legend Sir Viv, who was announced on Sunday night as a Sustainable Markets Initiative Ambassador, said the Commonwealth meeting and royal visit represented “an exciting time” for the people of the region.
“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.”
Sir Viv described it as an “immense privilege” to represent the King in Antigua and throughout the Commonwealth.
The West Indies World Cup winner had been invited to meet Charles and Camilla at the stadium named after him, ahead of this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Widely regarded as the finest batsman of his era, Sir Vivian won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and captained the side from the mid-1980s until 1991. He appeared alongside fellow West Indies greats Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Richie Richardson for a private meeting with the King and Queen, followed by the Independence Ceremonial Parade.
Greeting Sir Vivian warmly, Charles told him it was “so good to see you again”.
The King was also invited to toss a commemorative coin to determine which side would bat first in a cricket match between a team of Heads of Government and a side made up of Caribbean leaders.
