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King Charles has referenced the moment he was caught without an umbrella on Nov. 1
He referred to the incident in a self-deprecating manner during his speech to government leaders in the Caribbean on Nov. 3, which was hosted by him and Queen Camilla
Charles and Camilla’s tour of the Caribbean, which has also taken in The Bahamas and Guyana, ends on Nov. 4
King Charles is making light of the moment his umbrella kerfuffle went viral.
Charles, 77, made headlines around the world when he was seen gesturing to aides for an umbrella when he and Queen Camilla, 79, were caught in a sudden downpour in Antigua on Nov. 1.
King Charles speaking at his dinner and reception for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St. John’s Antigua and Barbuda, on Nov. 3
Credit: Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP via Getty
Soon after the royal couple arrived at the celebration of Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence, they were hit with a torrential rainstorm, leaving them soaking wet. Although a clear umbrella was quickly found for Camilla and she began to make her way off the field to seek shelter, Charles was left getting soaked.
When the British monarch noticed his wife walking off with an umbrella, he grew visibly exasperated and threw his hands in the air. He then began waving to aides and asking repeatedly for an umbrella.
King Charles speaking at the dinner with, left, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Nov. 3
Credit: Isabel Infantes / POOL / AFP via Getty
Relief came when he was eventually brought an umbrella, and Charles held it as he stepped off the dais and took part in an inspection of the troops.
On Nov. 3, speaking to heads of government from around the world at a dinner hosted by him and Camilla, Charles talked about how the 56 countries of the Commonwealth cover all kinds of climates. “It is one of the few organizations able to unite countries famous for snow, countries famous for deserts, and, most of all, countries whose citizens are utterly convinced they enjoy perfect weather all year round,” he said.
“Although perhaps part of my role as Head of the Commonwealth is to provide an umbrella for you all…!” he wryly added with a smile.
Earlier in the day, Charles had struck a more somber tone, speaking about the evils of the slave trade and Britain’s role in it, and recognizing that he had learned a lot about the painful history in recent years, himself. Stopping short of offering an apology, something he is not able to do unless the U.K. government does so, or asks him to, he expressed his “profound personal sorrow.”
The tour, which also included stops in The Bahamas and Guyana, has been dominated by conversation about whether the U.K. should apologize or pay reparations for the role it played in the slave trade.
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In his speech about the subject, Charles continued. “We cannot change the actions of those who came before us. We can, however, learn from the past.”
“The transatlantic trade in enslaved persons still casts a shadow over these islands and other Members of our Commonwealth,” he noted. “As I have said before, that shameful chapter of history is one that fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow.”
Charles also offered some ways forward, saying, “The more I have furthered my own understanding of the issues, through listening, learning and looking, the more committed I have become to finding ways for us to work in modern partnership to address the wrongs of the past with action for the future.”
“Through improving access to education, investing in jobs and opportunities, encouraging intra-Commonwealth trade, and inspiring vital climate resilience measures across the world, I have always felt that there is so much that can be done to help lift up those who struggle against hardship and disadvantage. I have always tried to play my part in doing just that.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla on a visit to Agave Gardens in St John’s, on Nov. 3
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty
“For, as any sailor navigating the seas knows, we cannot command the winds, least of all where the winds of yesterday have delivered us, but we can choose how we set our sails,” he said.
Charles’ tour has previously taken in The Bahamas and Guyana, while Camilla joined him for the Antigua and Barbuda leg, which ends on Nov. 4. The subject of an apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade and the possible payment of reparations has dogged the tour. The Daily Telegraph reported on Nov. 2 that Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering increasing financial help to countries to “atone for Britain’s role in the slave trade.”
Soon after he arrived in The Bahamas, Charles addressed a youth rally, hailing the successes of modern Bahamas, and said, “I say transforming because we know some of what is best about Bahamian culture today: The most joyful, the most hopeful, the most bright, was born out of darkness.”
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