It’s time to cut King Charles some slack over ‘Rain Gate’

That’s exactly what happened to the King last night at an Independence Parade in Antigua, just as His Majesty was standing on a tiny Dias for the country’s national anthem.

Without warning, the heavens opened, and biblical rainfall drenched everybody in its path.

Some of us, including myself, huddled under the canopy sheltering the stands; a very kind producer from a fellow broadcaster allowed me to share her umbrella.

The King, on the other hand, urgently signalled to his staff to get him an umbrella of his own, as he was showered by the heavy rain.

Queen Camilla’s aides, meanwhile, seemed slightly better prepared for the elements, managing to get an umbrella to her within a couple of seconds of the heavy downpour.

King Charles, it appeared, was not so lucky.

“Where’s the umbrella?” he asked his close protection officer, irritably.

Eventually, having already been soaked to the skin, His Majesty was handed an umbrella by his equerry, Major Ben Rigby.

He then walked up and down the lines of soaked soldiers, inspecting troops from his realm, leaving a trail of water behind him.

Clips of the incident have gone viral around the world, some finding it funny, others criticising His Majesty for appearing to snap at his staff.

Some likened it to the so-called Pen Gate during accession week, when he angrily shouted when a pen started leaking on him in Northern Ireland, a couple of days after he became King.

I said it then in September 2022, and I’ll say it again now: Cut King Charles some slack.

Anyone in his situation would be frustrated about being caught out in the rain; I certainly would be.

Remember, he was aware of multiple cameras and phones pointed at him as his hair and suit became more and more drenched.

He has already carried out a packed schedule of engagements during his sweltering Caribbean tour, despite being 77 years old and continuing cancer treatment.

His Majesty could have put his foot down, insisting the whole Parade be delayed due to the weather.

However, he persevered, carrying out his duty with honour and dignity.

King Charles is a trooper, and he wasn’t about to let down the thousand or so Antiguans who had waited patiently to see their monarch.

Besides, His Majesty eventually made a joke about the whole situation, telling his Antiguan Prime Minister: “I think I’m about to grow watercress on my suit.”

Today, the weather appears a bit more promising, but a political storm continues to brew over a potential slavery apology.

Britain’s Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is currently flying across the Atlantic to join the King at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Let’s see if King Charles can keep the focus on what unites Commonwealth leaders, rather than what divides.