King Charles attended Antigua and Barbuda’s independence celebrations, where a downpour interrupted proceedings.
The monarch appeared frustrated during an independence parade downpour, then joked with Prime Minister Gaston Browne about his soaked suit.
King Charles III appeared frustrated as heavy rain caught him without an umbrella during independence celebrations in Antigua and Barbuda. Cameras captured the monarch repeatedly gesturing towards aides before an equerry brought him shelter.
Charles, 77, and Queen Camilla attended the country’s 45th independence anniversary celebrations on Sunday, November 1, 2026. A sudden downpour interrupted the ceremonial parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, briefly delaying proceedings.
King Charles signals for help in downpour
Camilla quickly received a transparent umbrella, and an escort guided her towards the sheltered seating area. Meanwhile, Charles remained in the open as the rain visibly soaked his beige suit.
Footage showed him raising his hands, turning towards his entourage and repeatedly waving to attract aides’ attention. He also mimed holding an umbrella before asking, “Where’s the umbrella?”
His equerry eventually hurried to the platform carrying a compact black umbrella. Charles then continued his official duties, inspecting the Guard of Honour on the cricket pitch. Dozens of uniformed personnel stood at attention as the monarch carried out the inspection following the interruption.
A joke about his soaked suit
Despite his earlier apparent irritation, Charles later found humour in the weather disruption. Speaking to Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, he joked: “I think I’m about to grow watercress on my suit.” The celebrations resumed after the brief delay.
The visit forms part of Charles and Camilla’s nine-day Caribbean tour, with engagements in the Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda.
The tour also comes amid renewed debate about Britain’s historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. Caribbean leaders and campaigners have called for reparations and a formal apology.
Charles has previously acknowledged the suffering slavery caused. However, decisions on reparations remain a matter for the British government.
