KING CHARLES DRENCHED AS QUEEN CAMILLA SHELTERS AT ANTIGUA PARADE

Crowds cheered King Charles and Queen Camilla as they arrived by car at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua for an independence day parade. Heavy rain began falling as the national anthem played, soaking the parade ground. Queen Camilla left the dais for a covered stand, carrying a transparent umbrella and sitting down with a wry smile. King Charles remained on the dais in the downpour, gesturing and repeatedly asking, "Where's the umbrella?" No one immediately brought him one, and he continued inspecting the parade as the rain kept falling around him.

The crowd cheered again as King Charles carried on with his duties despite being drenched. Someone eventually brought him an umbrella, though he continued his engagements regardless. He went on to meet members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force and the Royal Police Force. Camilla, who had already reached the covered stand by the time the rain was at its heaviest, remained seated throughout.

The parade marked the 45th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda's independence. King Charles also met four knighted cricketing legends during the visit: Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose. The stadium hosting the parade carries the name of Sir Viv Richards, one of the cricketers the King met. The visit took place amid a deepening dispute over slavery reparations within the Commonwealth.