The King and Queen are set to attend Antigua and Barbuda's 45th annual independence parade and meet cricketing legends during their first full day in the country. The event is the centrepiece of the celebrations, bringing together military and uniformed units for a display of ceremonial drill marching that marks national pride.
Charles and Camilla will also meet leading individuals recognised for their service to the country across public life, spanning culture, sport, education, and community service. The royal couple will view the parade's closing ceremonial sequence before greeting students and four legendary knights of West Indies cricket: Sir Viv Richards, Sir Richie Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts, and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
Royal engagements at the stadium
The event will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, where the King will hold separate audiences with Antigua's Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, and Charles's official representative in the country, Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams.
Charles is on the last leg of a nine-day visit to the Caribbean. On Tuesday, he will open a Commonwealth leaders' summit being hosted by Antigua. In his speech to open the meeting, the King is expected to address the issue of slavery with "unflinching honesty" and "sincere sorrow," though he is not expected to offer an apology.
Commonwealth summit and cricket celebration
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting has drawn increased interest after Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered Commonwealth nations the opportunity to discuss a slavery apology from Britain.
Charles will end his day by tossing a coin to decide which team will bat or bowl first in the Commonwealth Cricket Celebration game. The exhibition Heads of Government T5 match will see Caribbean leaders captained by Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of Guyana, compete against heads of government from the wider Commonwealth led by William Ruto, Kenya's president.
The King will also meet cricketing legends Sir Andy and Sir Curtly, as well as former England Cricket captain David Gower, who is the honorary manager of the Wider Commonwealth Cricket Team, and chat to Sir Richie, referee of the exhibition match.
