King Charles caught in rain during Antigua independence parade

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium shortly before 6:30 p.m. local time for the 45th Antigua and Barbuda Independence Parade. Within minutes, a sudden rainstorm forced the couple into the open. Camilla, wearing a white Anna Valentine gown, asked staff for an umbrella and was quickly handed a clear one, allowing her to move to a sheltered seating area.

The King, meanwhile, remained standing in the rain and repeatedly asked, "where's the umbrella?" while gesturing. An equerry later provided a compact black umbrella, after which the King moved onto a small dais on the cricket ground to observe the Guard of Honour. The rain lasted about five minutes before clearing, and the programme proceeded as planned.

After the brief interruption, the King acknowledged the crowd with a wave. He later made a light-hearted comment that he had "started growing watercress on my trousers." The royal couple then met with local figures recognized for contributions to culture, sport, education and community service.

Charles is on a nine-day Caribbean tour that began in the Bahamas, where he addressed the legacy of slavery ahead of a Commonwealth summit hosted by Antigua. Antigua’s prime minister expressed respect for the King and noted discussions about the nation potentially becoming a republic.