Rain Delays Charles and Camilla at Antigua Anniversary Parade

A sudden downpour interrupted the anniversary parade at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on November 1, where King Charles and Queen Camilla were attending celebrations marking 45 years of independence for Antigua and Barbuda. Charles looked around for an umbrella and gestured toward aides as rain fell heavily on the royal couple.

Camilla was given a clear umbrella and led out of the rain. Charles remained exposed until an aide brought him an umbrella. The rain eased after about five minutes, and the parade continued, with the king inspecting troops.

Charles later joked to Prime Minister Gaston Browne that the rain might leave watercress growing on his suit. He wore a beige suit and colorful tie; Camilla wore a white dress with gold embroidery.

The appearance was part of Charles’ nine-day Caribbean tour, which began in the Bahamas on October 27 and also included Guyana. Camilla joined him on the fifth day of the trip. The visit comes amid calls for Britain to pay reparations for slavery. During an earlier stop in the Bahamas, Charles acknowledged past suffering and injustice, while protesters called for reparations and the return of artefacts.