King Charles III encounters rain delay during Antigua independence ceremony

On November 2, 2026, King Charles III and Queen Camilla attended a formal ceremony at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium to mark the 45th anniversary of the independence of Antigua and Barbuda. During the national anthems, a sudden downpour occurred, causing a brief moment of visible frustration for the King, who appeared to search for an umbrella while standing exposed to the rain. Footage captured him gesturing and looking toward his staff as the delay in providing protection continued.

While Queen Camilla was provided with a clear umbrella almost immediately, King Charles remained without cover until his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, assisted him. According to reports from the Telegraph, the delay was attributed to local protocol, which dictates that all participants must remain stationary and silent during the playing of the national anthem. The heavy rainfall lasted approximately five minutes, after which the event proceeded. The incident drew attention to the complexities of royal outdoor engagements, though the ceremony continued despite the adverse weather conditions.