King Charles was caught in a tropical downpour during a visit to Antigua and Barbuda, as the country’s prime minister renewed calls for slavery reparations and said he personally wanted the monarch replaced as head of state.
The King had arrived at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium for the country’s 45th anniversary independence celebrations when the rain began. He waved towards aides and appeared to ask for an umbrella, but remained exposed as the shower intensified.
Queen Camilla was given a clear umbrella and moved towards the royal seating area before one was eventually found for Charles. By then, his beige suit was soaked and rain was running down his face.
Charles continued with the open-air ceremony, occasionally wiping his face with a handkerchief, before sheltering under an umbrella while inspecting troops. The downpour lasted about five minutes and the celebrations continued once it had passed.
He later joked about the mishap, saying: “I’ve started growing watercress on my trousers.” The King and Queen were cheered by the crowd as they took part in the remaining ceremonial events.
Antigua and Barbuda reparations dispute
The awkward moment came against the backdrop of a growing dispute over Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Gaston Browne, Antigua and Barbuda’s prime minister, has repeatedly said he wants the country to become a republic and for Charles to cease being its head of state.
Speaking to ITV, Mr Browne said: “I am a Republican. So if you asked me about my personal view, I would like to see Antigua and Barbuda become a republic.”
He said he respected the British monarch but maintained that reparations were necessary, adding that the political difficulties in Britain did not “negate the need for reparations”.
Under Antigua and Barbuda’s constitution, more than two-thirds of voters would have to support replacing the monarchy and changing the constitution. Mr Browne said Charles remained King until the people were asked to decide the issue.
He also argued that compensation should be funded from Britain’s overseas development budget, saying Caribbean nations were not making demands that Britain could not afford. He warned that without compensation or liability for future generations, similar atrocities could happen again.
In Britain, Andy Burnham has opened the door to an official apology and called for a “structured dialogue” with those affected by slavery. He has rejected direct financial reparations, while suggesting measures including debt write-offs and downgrades.
There have also been indications that the Government could support health and education projects in Commonwealth countries, although officials said any funding would come from existing aid budgets. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has rejected reparations, insisting that Britain had “had enough of apologising” for its past.
Despite the political tensions, Charles and Camilla continued their programme in Antigua. They met West Indies cricketing legends Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Curtly Ambrose, and Charles tossed a commemorative coin before a match involving Commonwealth leaders.
Sir Vivian, who was named a Sustainable Markets Initiative Ambassador founded by the King, said it was an “immense privilege” to represent Charles in Antigua and across the Commonwealth. The King later greeted him warmly, saying it was “so good to see you again”.
The royal couple also met students and watched the closing ceremonial sequence of the independence parade, before the Governor-General, Sir Rodney Williams, presented national honours to people recognised for service in public life, culture, sport, education and their communities.
