During a state ceremony in Antigua, the 77-year-old monarch was left pleading for an umbrella in heavy rain while Queen Camilla was handed one immediately and moved to shelter, leaving him behind
King Charles III's visit to Antigua produced unusual scenes that raised uncomfortable questions about the treatment the British monarch received from his local hosts.
During a formal ceremony at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the King was left standing in a heavy downpour while his wife, Queen Camilla, had already made her way to shelter.
The incident occurred during a parade marking 45 years of independence for Antigua and Barbuda. The royal couple were initially received with cheers, but as the national anthem began, heavy rain started falling. Camilla was immediately handed a clear umbrella and proceeded toward the covered seating area, while 77-year-old Charles was left behind without protection.
In footage that was published, the King can be seen looking around, waving his hands and trying to attract the attention of staff members. "Where's the umbrella?" he is heard asking repeatedly, while miming with his hands the motion of opening an umbrella.
Meanwhile, Camilla had already taken her seat under cover and appeared amused by what was happening. Her smile as her husband remained in the rain only added to the embarrassment captured on camera.
After some time was an umbrella found for Charles as well, but by then he had already drenched. Despite the incident, the King continued as planned with an inspection of soldiers and police officers of Antigua and Barbuda, and received applause from the crowd.
Later, Charles addressed his situation with humor, joking that "watercress" was already growing on his trousers after they became completely soaked. Camilla also referenced her wet appearance and told media: "I've given up already."
The incident took place during the couple's royal tour of the Caribbean islands, which includes visits to the Bahamas, Guyana and Antigua, where the King is expected to attend a gathering of Commonwealth heads of state.
The fact that the umbrella was given to Camilla while the King remained exposed to the rain for several long minutes was well documented and cast the hosts in an awkward light.
Against the backdrop of the complex historical relations between Britain and Caribbean nations, it is difficult to ignore the possibility that the treatment the King received was not accidental.
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