King Charles and Queen Camilla attend Antigua independence ceremony amid sudden rain
During Antigua's 45th independence anniversary ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla were caught in a brief torrential downpour, prompting the King to comment on his wet attire before continuing the program.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended a military ceremony marking Antigua's 45th independence anniversary at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket stadium when a sudden heavy rain fell. The monarch, initially without an umbrella, raised his hands and asked, "Where's the umbrella?" before an equerry handed him one. He later remarked to Antigua's prime minister, Gaston Browne, that his suit was "about to grow watercress."
Queen Camilla received a clear dome umbrella and, after the rain subsided, noted the effect on her hair. The royal couple proceeded with the program, inspecting troops and greeting crowds despite the brief downpour, which lasted about five minutes.
Following the parade, the King and Queen met former West Indies cricket players Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose, and held separate audiences with Prime Minister Browne and Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams. The King also tossed a commemorative coin to decide the batting order for a Commonwealth exhibition cricket match.
Earlier in the day, the couple led a special Sunday service for the "family of nations," during which Anglican Bishop Ernest Flemming emphasized the need for shared prosperity within the Commonwealth.