King Charles left fuming as he’s caught in torrential downpour, soaking his suit

King Charles has been caught on camera visibly fuming as he was left without an umbrella in torrential rain during a military event in the Caribbean.

The monarch was seen turning around and gesturing to aides, asking “where’s the umbrella?” during the downpour as he and Queen Camilla attended an outdoor ceremony marking the 45th anniversary of Antigua’s independence.

The heavy rain began to fall when the king and queen stood on a podium as the national anthems played in the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Queen Camilla was quickly ushered away to a covered seating area, later joking to the gathered media: “I’ve given up”, gesturing to her damp dress and dishevelled hair.

But the king was left standing in the weather, repeatedly asking members of his entourage: “Where’s the umbrella?” 

His equerry, Major Ben Rigby, eventually found one.

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The king later saw the funny side, telling the Antiguan prime minister: “I think I’m about to grow watercress on my suit!”

King Charles and Queen Camilla are in Antigua and Barbuda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) later today.

The issue of slavery and potential reparations has dominated the monarch’s nine-day tour of the Caribbean and the issue is expected to be discussed at the summit.

On Saturday, Britain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was “open” to offering a formal apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade but has ruled out considering any financial reparations.

He said he wanted to offer a “structured dialogue” with those affected.

“I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part,” Burnham said.

King Charles is expected to speak on the issue when he gives the opening address in front of Commonwealth leaders, including Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The tour, which began last week in The Bahamas, has been described by various British media outlets as potentially being “the most difficult royal tour of his reign”.

In what was his first speech in the region since becoming monarch, Charles told a rally of young people on Tuesday: “Some of what is best in Bahamian culture today, the most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright, was born out of darkness. 


“It is only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past in these islands and beyond, even as we rejoice in the successes of the present and build new opportunities for the future.”

But King Charles stopped short of giving an apology.

The Church of England, of which Charles is head, has already made several formal apologies to Caribbean nations.

A palace spokesperson told The Times the monarch had to walk “a diplomatic tightrope”, referring to his roles as head of state and the church.

“HM [His Majesty] is well practised on the diplomatic tightrope, as you’ve seen again several times this year. He is up for challenging visits with complex issues and relationships in play. 

“He sees it as his role to ‘bat for Britain’, the realms and wider Commonwealth, promoting, protecting, and enhancing relationships at the highest level. One of the many benefits of a constitutional monarchy is the ability to transcend politics.”