King Charles was caught in a torrential Caribbean shower during a visit to Antigua, as a political dispute over slavery reparations intensified and calls grew for the island to replace him as head of state.
The monarch waved repeatedly and urged an aide to “bring it” after realising he had been left without an umbrella.
Charles was attending celebrations for Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence, only days after Prime Minister Gaston Browne renewed calls for Britain to pay slavery reparations and repeated his support for replacing the King as the country’s monarch.
Shortly after arriving at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, Charles was left standing in the open as heavy rain swept across the venue and no umbrella arrived.
The King later made light of the soaking, joking: “I’ve started growing watercress on my trousers.”
The awkward episode unfolded amid a wider Caribbean debate over whether Britain should provide reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said he personally favours removing Charles as the country’s head of state.
He 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.”
Charles initially appeared exasperated as the rain began moments after his arrival, throwing up his arms and gesturing for an umbrella.
As the downpour intensified, Queen Camilla was quickly given a clear dome umbrella and escorted towards the royal seating area, while her husband remained exposed.
Camilla later appeared to share the humour of the moment. By the time an umbrella was finally brought to Charles, his beige summer suit was drenched and water was running down his face.
The mood lifted when the King met Sir Viv Richards and other West Indies cricket greats.
King Charles III waves after being left without an umbrella during an event marking Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th year of independence
The monarch watches as Queen Camilla is handed an umbrella
The King gestures as rain falls at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
King Charles walks through the rain while attending Antigua and Barbuda’s annual Independence Parade amid the dispute over slavery reparations
A soaked King Charles stands beside Queen Camilla after heavy rain hits the stadium
Camilla gestures for protection from the downpour
Queen Camilla receives an umbrella before one is eventually brought to Charles
Sir Viv Richards and King Charles III toss the commemorative coin before the Heads of Government T5 exhibition match between Caribbean leaders and the Wider Commonwealth Cricket Team
Once an umbrella had been found and handed to him, the independence celebrations continued.
Charles carried on with the lengthy outdoor programme, stoically wiping his face from time to time with a handkerchief.
The King stood on a small dais while troops formed up on the former cricket pitch, which had been transformed into a parade ground.
He then used the umbrella for cover as he inspected the service personnel.
When Charles returned, the crowd cheered and he responded with a wave.
The shower was brief, lasting approximately five minutes, and the rest of the programme went ahead in dry conditions.
Charles and Camilla attended Antigua and Barbuda’s annual Independence Ceremonial Parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the centrepiece of the country’s celebrations marking 45 years of independence.
The parade is held each year as the focal point of Antigua and Barbuda’s independence festivities.
Later, Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams presented the National Honourees to the King and Queen. The recipients were recognised for distinguished contributions to public life, culture, sport, education and community service.
Charles and Camilla watched the parade’s closing ceremony before meeting students and four West Indies cricketing knights: Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Charles and Camilla wave to the cheering crowd
Charles jokes about the soaking, saying: “I’ve started growing watercress on my trousers”
King Charles takes shelter beneath an umbrella while inspecting troops at the annual Independence Ceremonial Parade
King Charles and Queen Camilla stand together during the parade, with Camilla holding an umbrella
Cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, who was announced on Sunday night as a Sustainable Markets Initiative Ambassador, said the King’s visit and the Commonwealth gathering represented an important moment.
The initiative was founded by Charles to encourage more environmentally responsible business and industry.
Sir Viv said: “It’s just an exciting time for us as people. 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.”
He added: “I met him [the King] before at Buckingham Palace and meeting him on my home patch, I think, evens things out.”
“It’s just great to know that you are with such folks who would have played such a huge part in the world and what they stand for, and having them on our shores. The weather’s good. Couldn’t get any better than this.”
Sir Vivian described it as an “immense privilege” to represent the King in Antigua and throughout the Commonwealth.
The West Indies World Cup winner was invited to meet Charles and Camilla at the national stadium named in his honour, ahead of this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Widely regarded as the finest batsman of his generation, Sir Vivian won the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and captained the West Indies from the mid-1980s until 1991. He appeared alongside fellow legends Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Richie Richardson for a private meeting with the royal couple, followed by the Independence Ceremonial Parade.
Charles greeted Sir Vivian warmly, telling him: “It’s so good to see you again.”
The King was then invited to toss a commemorative coin to determine which team would bat or field first in a cricket match involving a selection of heads of government and a side made up of Caribbean leaders.
The CHOGM match was followed by a fixture featuring Commonwealth Future Stars Under-23, showcasing a new generation of Commonwealth cricketers.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held every two years, is being conducted under the theme “Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth”. However, discussions were expected to focus heavily on Andy Burnham’s offer to Commonwealth countries to discuss a British apology for slavery.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed “my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions”, while ruling out financial reparations.
His comments came after Antigua’s Prime Minister said he personally wanted Charles removed as the country’s monarch and maintained that Britain should pay compensation for its role in slavery.
Browne made the remarks to ITV News after attending a Sunday morning church service with the King and Queen.
Although he said he held great respect for the British monarch, the prime minister repeated his belief that Antigua should become a republic.
Charles and Camilla speak during the annual ceremony at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium
“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.
Burnham announced on Friday that his government was willing to discuss an apology—a step no British prime minister has previously taken—but said the British public should not be expected to pay compensation for historical events.
Browne argued that Caribbean nations were “not coming to Britain and making demands that you cannot afford”. He said, however, that any compensation should come from Britain’s overseas development budget.
He also warned that failing to pay for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade could have consequences beyond the Caribbean.
“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.
Under Antigua and Barbuda’s constitution, more than two-thirds of voters must support any move to remove the British monarch and amend the constitution.
“So until such time as the question is put to them, I have to accept that King Charles remains. I serve the King, and he will continue to benefit from all the courtesies and respect as our King… but again, from time to time we have to test the waters,” Browne said.
He added that “if there is not some form of deterrent, there could be a repeat”.
Asked whether he was referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Browne replied only: “You can see what is happening globally.”
The Antiguan prime minister told ITV News: “I’m saying here that countries are becoming far more brutal. And if there’s not some form of compensation and even liability for future generations, the present generation must understand that the actions could also affect future generations.”
