Charles brushes away Sunday's soaking as he and Camilla visit colonial museum in Antigua amid slavery reparations row

Charles has brushed away Sunday's soaking as he and Camilla visited a colonial museum in Antigua amid the slavery reparations row.  

The King and Queen did not 'shy away' from the past as they acknowledged slavery while touring Government House Museum, which contains enslavement artefacts.

Charles peered into a display case that contained ceramic medallions depicting slaves made in support of abolition and a silk parasol.

Walking over to the display, Charles pointed and asked: 'Is that an umbrella?'

The case also contained slave shackles and a conch shell used by enslaved people to call meetings and summon them to work. 

Government House is home of the monarch's representative in Antigua and Barbuda, which has been described as a one-time 'symbol of British colonial oppression.'

Charles earlier nodded in acknowledgement while he was shown a series of three paintings by a local artist and told it depicted slaves plotting to escape before being captured and put before their masters.

Before the trip, Buckingham Palace said they would 'shy away' from the 'darkest days of our past'. 

King Charles bumped into Sir Idris Elba while on the visit.  The British actor told him: 'Sorry about the rain'

It came after Sunday saw the King visibly flustered after he was caught without an umbrella

The King speaks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham as they attend the Commonwealth Business Forum in Osbourn, Antigua and Barbuda on Monday

The monarch appears to ask 'is that an umbrella' after walking over to a display in the Government House Museum 

Charles pushing a brick during a visit to Nelson's Dockyard, a historic naval base established in 1725 in Saint Paul

Charles III is presented with a racing car helmet by Jeffrey Dodds, CEO of Formula E, as he attends the Commonwealth Business Forum at Sticky Wicket during his visit

Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla gesture after unveiling a commemorative plaque during their visit to Government House in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Government House in St. John, Antigua and Barbuda - once regarded as a 'symbol of British colonial oppression'

Queen Camilla, perhaps prepared for every eventuality following the weekend, arrived at Government House with a white lace parasol

On a visit to Nelson's Dock, a historic naval base, the King bumped into Sir Idris Elba, with the famous British actor telling him 'sorry about the rain'.

Charles had just set an engraved stone into a wall when he reunited with Sir Idris, a goodwill ambassador for the King's Trust, who was hosting the One Commonwealth Night concert at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

'How are you?' The actor and knife crime campaigner asked as they shook hands and greeted each other like old friends.

The King asking in turn: 'What are you doing here?

Both laughing, Sir Idris replied: 'I get around,' affectionately patting the King on the arm.

He asked: 'How are you doing though, are you having a good time? Sorry about the rain.'

It was initially reported Sir Idris said 'sorry about the Prime Minister' seemingly in reference to Gaston Browne - who last night called for he personally wants to see Charles removed as his country's monarch.   

But his PR - after initially confirming he was referring to the Antiguan PM - later said that the actor had said 'sorry about the rain'.

Charles also met Andy Burnham for the first time since the Prime Minister's comments about Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade sparked a row on the eve of the King's appearance at a Commonwealth conference.

The two men were reunited at a Commonwealth Business Forum held at the appropriately named Sticky Wicket, a bar and restaurant alongside a cricket ground.

As he arrived, Mr Burnham was asked by ITV News whether he had 'made things more difficult' for the King.

He replied: 'No. We are reaching out and listening. The whole aim here has been to come and listen and bring a new approach to the Commonwealth, and to bring people together.'

He did not respond to a question on whether the King should make a personal apology on behalf of his ancestors.

Charles's speech at Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) on Tuesday is expected to be 'unflinchingly honest'.

As they left, the King and Queen walked past former slave quarters where emancipated people who worked at Governor's House lived, believed to be the oldest of their kind in the East Caribbean.

Cuthbert Forbes, senior assistant to Dame Williams the wife of the Governor-General Sir Rodney William, showed the King and Queen the series of three paintings showing slaves plotting an escape before being caught.

The exhibition included artwork by local artists who had the help of two tutors from the Royal Drawing School for six weeks

He said afterwards of the paintings he showed the King: 'This is a story of plotting that whole plan and trying to execute it, brought back.

'Being caught and being brought before their master.'

He added: 'It's not about confronting them (King and Queen) with slavery.

'But including that we have have a bit of our history remains with us, where we are coming from. It's our 45th anniversary of independence.

'Telling that story for us as black Caribbean people this story of how far we have come and battles we have fought.

'We are standing on the precipice and welcome the Head of State even though we are independent we have that link. And we want to tell that story.'

Their Majesties were due to view former slave quarters, now restored as a reminder of the evils of Britain's transatlantic slave trade, as well as a sobering display of items from the time including shackles.

The King is in Antigua in his role as Head of the Commonwealth for the biennial CHOGM, where he is set to speak with 'unflinching honesty' and 'sincere sorrow' on the lasting pain of the slave trade.

But the end of his nine-day Caribbean tour threatens to be overshadowed by calls for Britain to make reparations over its past involvement in slavery - after Burnham opened the door to an official apology for Britain's role.

The PM's suggested he was 'open to' calls for a formal apology - a move the Government has resisted for decades despite intense international pressure - but said the British public should not pay compensation for what happened in the past.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, has insisted Britain has 'had enough of apologising' for its past and has rejected calls for reparations. 

Today's engagement took place under sunnier skies than Saturday, when a rare lapse in Palace preparation left His Majesty soaked through by a freak rain shower without an umbrella.

The King looked dapper in a light grey suit, which he complemented with a pair of Serengeti sunglasses

He also wore a blue and white tie decorated with Greek columns of the Doric and Ionic orders - a nod to his Greek heritage and his late father, Prince Philip, who was born on Corfu

The King and Queen were animated as they joined a community reception, where they were shown how to prepare the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepperpot

King Charles III speaks with a young woman presenting an art work made with recycled plastic bottles, next to Governor-General Rodney Williams, at Government House

King Charles III and Queen Camilla speak to Jackie Ferracho Williams, a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society, at Agave Gardens in St John's

King Charles III, Executive Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, Dr Andrew Forrest and Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne speak at the launch of the Commonwealth Nature Initiative

Perhaps ensuring she was prepared for every eventuality thereafter, The Queen arrived at Government House today with a white lace parasol she used to shield herself from the strong Caribbean sun. 

The King had appeared visibly frustrated as he gestured for an umbrella at the open-air Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, miming one and urging staff to 'bring it' as his lightweight summer suit was drenched, turning transparent in places.

He remained on the pitch as the Queen was handed a clear dome umbrella and ushered to the royal seating area - eventually being handed an umbrella by his equerry, Major Ben Rigby, who had run back to the stands to retrieve one.

Having been handed an umbrella, he stoically wiped the rain from his face with his handkerchief as he inspected the parade looking altogether more relaxed.

Greeted by the crowd with cheers after the passing shower - which lasted all of five minutes - the King and Queen returned the greeting with a wave and a warm smile.

His Majesty would later laugh off the sudden soaking, joking afterwards: 'I've started growing watercress on my trousers.'

Today, he looked relaxed and dapper in a light grey suit, complemented by a blue and white tie decorated with Greek columns of the Doric and Ionic orders - a nod to his Greek heritage and his late father, Prince Philip, who was born on Corfu.

His Majesty completed his relaxed look with a matching blue and white pocket square and a pair of Serengeti sunglasses - while the Queen wore a light-colored kaftan-style dress

Today's engagements saw Their Majesties first met by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Lady Sandra Williams, as well as the Royal Police Force Iron Band and Carnival masqueraders.

After meeting other Governor Generals from the Caribbean region, as well as charity representatives at a community reception, they were also treated to a cooking display of the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepperpot. 

The King and Queen then unveiled a plaque at the main entrance to commemorate its restoration, returning the building to use as the Governor-General's official residence. 

Afterwards, they were due to view Government House itself, which has been undergoing an extensive nine-year restoration programme which finished this year.

Inside, they visited the Government House Art Gallery where they met Antiguan artist and art educator Mark Brown, viewing both his artworks and those of students of Antigua and Barbuda's Royal Drawing School. 

They The King and Queen will also visit the Government House Museum where Their Majesties will view an exhibition about the history of Antigua and Barbuda and how it has shaped the islands and their people, as well as the World War Honour Roll. 

Later, they travelled to Agave Gardens, home to the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society, where they were again received by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Lady Williams, to learn about the work of the Society.

The King, a noted horticultural enthusiast, was shown a collection of heritage seeds stored at the Gardens, and was set to hear about the Society's efforts to preserve seeds, ensure food security and support climate resilience.

The King was visibly flustered as he was caught in a sudden downpour on Sunday, gesturing rapidly for an umbrella

Charles eventually laughed off the soaking, joking afterwards: 'I've started growing watercress on my trousers'

Government House is now marketed as a 'living testament to overcoming the adversity of slavery' and to achieving a national autonomy that nurtures a cultural identity. 

Many of today's leaders in Antigua and Barbuda are descended from the people who built Government House and occupied its quarters.

Once a symbol of British imperialism, Government House 'now bears witness to a national journey about emancipation and independence, from enslavement and colonial rule to the reclamation, conservation and public recognition of Antigua and Barbuda heritage'.

The English slave trade in Antigua was a brutal enterprise spanning more than 130 years, involving the wholesale kidnap of men, women and children from West Africa who were exported to the Caribbean.

In Antigua they were sold in the slave market in the capital, St John's.

Approximately 138,000 enslaved Africans were imported into Antigua between 1670 and 1820.

Experts believe there were never more than 40,000 people living there at any one time due to extreme mortality rates from the harsh conditions and high infant mortality.

Enslaved people were mainly put to work on plantations to grow sugar cane which was used to process molasses, sugar crystals and rum. It was arduous, hot and filthy work.

At its peak there were 300 plantations on the island, producing vast wealth for owners and governors.

Slave owners managed enslaved people with unrelenting brutality using corporal punishment and both physical and sexual violence.

The King and Queen are due to see a display of conch shells used to call people to tasks, but also used by the enslaved people to communicate and were seen as a symbol of resistance and freedom.

They will also be shown slave quarters, now carefully restored, and shackles consisting of iron hoops joined by a length of chain used for transportation and punishment.

In a social media post, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband justified his decision to invite a conversation over an apology, while ruling out any payment of reparations.

He said: 'Transatlantic slavery was a horrific chapter in our history. It was a brutal and barbaric violation of the humanity of millions, the legacy of which is still felt by so many today. We can't change the past, but we can face it with honesty.

'Listen to those whose countries and communities continue to feel its legacy, including in Britain, and build stronger relationships for the future.

Queen Camilla and King Charles speak to a seller who showcases locally sourced products at Agave Gardens, a drought-resistant garden and seedbank, and home to the Horticultural Society during their visit in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda

The British monarch learns about local herbs and flower seeds, during a visit the Gardens Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society

Charles and Camilla taste a drink during a visit to Agave Gardens, a drought-resistant garden and seedbank and home to the Horticultural Society

'That's why the Prime Minister has committed to establishing a formal, structured dialog with Caribbean and African partners, overseas territories, and affected communities in Britain. 

'This will allow us to discuss the history and ongoing legacy of transatlantic slavery, including the question of a formal apology, which we, the British government, are open to.

'We in Britain are rightly proud of our nation's great history, and true patriotism comes from having the confidence to talk about difficult chapters in our past. 

'We are strong enough. We are self-confident enough to have this conversation. The question of a formal apology will be a major part of the dialog we are establishing.'

He added: 'Of course, a formal apology would be a significant step, and we think it's right to discuss that properly with the countries and communities most affected. 

'And the dialog we're setting up will consider whether and how a formal apology could help acknowledge the history, help heal the division, and support stronger relationships for the future.

'We don't believe that financial reparations are the right or feasible answer to transatlantic slavery. We don't think the right response is to ask British taxpayers today to make financial payments for these historic acts. 

'We do, however, want to focus on meaningful, practical cooperation, which includes education and cultural exchange, and how we can work together on the mutual issues of climate resilience, development, and economic opportunity.'

A Buckingham Palace spokesman has made clear that despite the growing row the King is focused on the main objectives of this year's CHOGM, which starts tomorrow. 

They said: 'As Head of the Commonwealth, His Majesty's contribution is best understood as one of inspiring and convening rather than policy-making: helping bring people together from both the public and private sectors across the whole family of 56 nations, encouraging practical collaboration and creating momentum behind ideas that are now moving through Commonwealth channels. 

'In that sense, His Majesty's most significant contribution has been helping to connect leaders, institutions and investors - many of whom he knows personally from his many years of international diplomacy - around shared areas of interest and concern, creating the conditions in which ambitious Commonwealth-led initiatives can emerge and succeed.'

They added that the CHOGM agenda is that governments cannot solve today's challenges alone. 

They said this closely reflects The King's longstanding belief that lasting solutions come from collaboration between governments, business, investors, philanthropy and civil society.

The King and Queen did not 'shy away' from the past in Antigua and Barbuda as they acknowledged slavery while touring a museum containing enslavement artefacts.

At Government House Museum, Charles peered into a display case that contained ceramic medallions depicting slaves made in support of abolition and a silk parasol.

Walking over to the display, Charles pointed and asked: 'Is that an umbrella?'

King Charles smiles during a visit to Agave Gardens, a drought-resistant garden and seedbank

The King's Autumn Tour includes visits to The Bahamas and Guyana before continuing to Antigua and Barbuda, where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

The case also contained slave shackles and a conch shell used by enslaved people to call meetings and summon them to work.

They were shown exhibits explaining the histiry of slavery in Antigua and Barbuda - including the Declaration of Emancipation from 30 June 1834.

In the rooms at Government House Museum displays on the wall told the stories of 'Sugar and Slavery', 'Emancipation', 'March Towards Freedom', and stories of enslaved people on sugar plantations.

Charles also stood by a wall display showing the cross-section of a slave ship that carried emancipated people from Africa to the Caribbean..

He also saw a Warri board - a game taken by slaves from Africa and believed to be the world's oldest board game - in the museum.

He joked: 'At least it keeps going.'

Explaining the game of Warri, Trevor Simon, 70, a local Warri Grandmaster, said: 'The game was brought over by African descendants; it's a traditional mathematical board game.'

Charles and Camilla were earlier greeted to Governors House by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and Dame Williams.

And were joined a Community Reception to celebrate charitable organisations, uniformed youth groups and education initiatives in Antigua and Barbuda.

The King and Queen also viewed a cooking demonstration by Antiguan Culinary figure, Chef Nigel Joseph - who prepared the traditional Antiguan dish of fungee and pepper pot.

The Queen toured stands relating to literacy and and met young brownies and girl guides taking part in a film workshop. 'Do any of you watch Harry Potter?' She asked. 'That's good, isn't it?'

She also stopped to chat to players of the traditional board game of Warri, which was historically brought from Africa.

'Who is going to beat who?' She asked. Told it wasn't decided yet, she added: 'May the best man win.'

The Queen then moved on to speak to girl guides and three charities, including Friends of the Care Project, which looks after children and adults with autism and other disabilities.

Aiden Parks-Reed, 10, who has hydrocephalus, swept an arm across his body as he welcomed the royal couple, saying: 'Good morning your Majesties.'

The King and Queen also unveiled a plaque at the main entrance of Government House to commemorate its restoration.

Queen Camilla plants an agave seedling alongside school children from the youth horticulture initiative, Little Seeds Club, at Agave Gardens

Charles and Camilla next to the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda Rodney Williams (left) and his wife Lady Sandra Williams (centre) speak with a woman offering sauces made from local products

The King greets the gathered crowd, upon his arrival at Nelson's Dockyard, a historic naval base established in 1725

Charles shakes hands with a woman, as he greets the gathered crowd as part of a week-long autumn tour of Caribbean nations

Work began in 2017 and finished this year.

At a new pavilion, alumni of The King's Foundation and students from the College of Advanced Education spoke about conservation and training work at St John's Cathedral, St John's Police Station, Government House and the Heritage Trail.

The King met eight graduates of the King's Foundation building craft programme.

After returning from their eight-week stay in the UK, where they trained at both Highgrove and Dumfries House, they have built a traditional wooden pavilion for visitors to Government House to wait in. Constructed from sustainably sourced Greenheart wood from Guyana, it was built using traditional methods.

Kyla Weaver, one of the participants, said: 'We were lucky enough to be part of the first cohort to go to Scotland with the King's Foundation. We feel gratitude for the opportunity and for the immense hospitality from [the King's] staff and his team.

'We took the opportunity and took it to heart and came back and build something as a reminder to our community that we build with concrete now, but this is what we used to do. We want to promote sustainability in construction.'

They were bid farewell by members of the public who lined up to shake hands.

The Queen was reunited with a woman known as 'Sexy Sue' in Antigua who showed Camilla a table of local crafts.

Camilla swapped her umbrella from the rain the night before for a parasol as she visited the Agave Gardens, a horticultural site which will host a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London next year.

Camilla met Louise Edwards, 74, who goes by the name 'Sexy Sue' because it is a nickname she was given by her family.

She makes intricate jewellery and table mats from dried tamarind seeds and met Camilla during a visit to London three years ago.

'I met you in 2023 in the Garden Museum,' she told the Queen.

Edwards, who gifted Camilla a pair of earrings, pointed to one of the handmade tablemats and added: 'I gave you a mat like this.'

'I thought I recognised that,' the Queen said. 'I've still got that in my house. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.'

The King and Queen both reached out and held hands with blind craftspeople who were weaving seats and laundry baskets

The King and Queen then split up, with Camilla talking to schoolchildren who take part in the 'little seeds club' gardening group.

Queen Camilla speaks to school children from the youth horticulture initiative, Little Seeds Club

 Charles and Camilla speak with President of the Horticultural Society, Barbara Japal

The King and Queen speak with the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda Rodney Williams (right) and his wife Lady Sandra Williams (left), as they attend a community reception at Government House

The Queen also planted sunflowers seeds in pots with members of the 'Little Seeds' club.

After greeting the local schoolchildren and asking their names she was handed a pair of clean gloves and a spoon and invited to plant a pot.

Later The Queen said she found it 'terrifying' to 'scratch the surface' of the extent of violence against women and girls around the world. 

Attending a Commonwealth women's forum and reception, she urged activists working to end physical and sexual violence against women to 'just keep going', adding 'thank you so much'.

In a speech to delagated at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, she said the world must listen to women when they ask for help and urged 'confidence' that the era of violence against women and girls can end. 

In a small garden reception afterwards, with survivors and women working in the sector, she said: 'I'm trying to get people to talk about it [abuse] more so it's not taboo.' 

Speaking to Tamara Huggins, from the Civil Society Organisation, she said: 'When you start to scratch the surface, it's terrifying.' 

In her key note address, the Queen spoke of the importance of actively supporting women when they seek help, and the progress she has seen when travelling around the world on royal tours. 

Delivering a key note speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting women's forum in Antigua and Barbuda, she quoted Sir Viv Richards, the cricketer she described as a 'national hero', to say: 'Confidence is contagious. It spreads through the team and drives us to success'. 

The Queen added: 'That is true of cricket and it is true of this Forum. 'Together, we have confidence that we can – and we will – see the end of violence against women and girls, forever.' 

The Queen has made the prevention of physical and sexual violence against women and girls one of her key campaigning issues. 

She said: 'We all know someone who has been personally affected by these heinous crimes. We must, therefore, all be part of the solution.' 

The Queen also thanked the people of Antigua and Barbuda for the 'wonderfully warm welcome that my husband and I have received', adding: 'We only wish that we were able to stay with you for a lot longer, to visit more of your beautiful islands.' 

The King received a chorus of support from fellow world leaders today who praised his convening power and insisted the Commonwealth still needed him as a royal head.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said of most recent visit: 'It was a very successful and he is always a welcome visitor in Australia.

'There's a great deal of mutual affection that Australians have for His Majesty and His Majesty has for Australia.

'Of course with his background, he came to school there and he takes a keen interest. We talk regularly, we spoke about this nature initiative by phone a little while ago. So it's a strong relationship.

'I think the Commonwealth can play a role as stabliser. It brings together 56 countries from all over the world, a majority of nations in the Pacific islands…. 

'Our participation here gives us connections with the Caribbean, with African nation, with nations who aren't part of the forums in our region…

'[The King] brings leadership and you can have different positions. Look, my party supports a republic but the system that we have doesn't mean we don't have respect for His Majesty and the role that he plays.

'He's pushing his agenda of action on the environment, on nature and urban development, the urban environment, on claimants change, are all significant issues the world is facing. On a range of issues he is forthright and I think that is a positive thing.'

President Ali of Guyana, who has just hosted a state visit by the King, concurred, saying: 'I don't want to surmise this state visit by just this occasion. 

'I think His Majesty has does enormous work globally on nature, financing for nature, forest, diversity, indigenous people, community empowerment. And his association with Guyana spans all of these areas.

'He has helped us to champion carbon credits for the forest and helped us to position forests as a priority on the global agenda, so His Majesty has been a champion for Guyana, a champion for this region and a champion for the world.

'I think his visit helped us celebrate all of the enormous work he has done in his lifetime whilst at the same time confronting and looking at the challenges that lie ahead of us, financing, resource development, resource mobilisation….ensuring these key issues remain on the agenda.'

The two men were speaking having just met the King at the launch of the

Commonwealth Nature Initiative, a new programme encouraging Commonwealth governments, philanthropists, and business to mobilise funding for Commonwealth countries deliver on their 30x30 conservation commitments, which aim for protection of 30 per cent of Earth by 2030.

• READ MORE: STEPHEN GLOVER: Burnham's comments on slavery are his most destructive blunder yet. This is a man ill-suited to the world stage
• READ MORE: Left-wing MPs heap pressure on Burnham over slavery reparations after he opened door to official apology at Commonwealth summit 
• READ MORE: Antigua's PM welcomes Charles - then says he wants to REMOVE him as head of state, blasts Kemi Badenoch and demands UK pay huge reparations over slavery 'so there isn't a repeat'
• READ MORE: Campaigner accuses King Charles of 'walking in a crime scene' on his Caribbean tour
• READ MORE:  Heir force one! King Charles shares rare glimpse onboard luxurious government private jet - which costs £2,000 per hour to run
• READ MORE: King Charles arrives in The Bahamas as he kicks off Caribbean tour amid demands from Commonwealth nations for slavery reparations - and monarch 'won't shy away from shameful past'