King Charles ended his nine-day tour of the Caribbean with a light-hearted speech full of jokes, including a reference to the umbrella incident that went viral earlier in the week. At the official Commonwealth Heads of Government dinner, hosted by the King and Queen, Charles made light of being caught in a tropical storm during a military ceremony in Antigua and joked about having gone through four UK Prime Ministers in as many years.
Light-hearted moments at the final dinner
Charles and Camilla hosted the dinner at Blue Waters, the luxury five-star resort where they stayed during their five-day royal visit to Antigua and Barbuda. The King welcomed 84 dignitaries and called the Commonwealth a "family of nations" and one of the "world's more improbable organisations."
He joked: "It is one of the few organisations 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. Although perhaps part of my role as Head of the Commonwealth is to provide an umbrella for you all…!" The joke was met with laughter and applause.
Serious reflections on the Commonwealth
In more serious moments, Charles spoke about the importance of the Commonwealth, saying: "We meet at a time when many of the institutions on which the world has long relied are under great strain, and when it is all too tempting for nations to retreat behind ever higher walls." He added that the Commonwealth offers "another path" and is a "family of fifty-six nations."
He also touched on climate change, joking about those who doubted global warming and thought "El Niño" played for Atlético Madrid. Earlier on Tuesday, the King said the slave trade "fills my heart with horror and my soul with the most profound personal sorrow" in his opening address at CHOGM, without offering an apology.
Details of the evening
The King wore a black tie, miniature medals, the Order of Merit neck order and the Garter star, while the Queen wore a white Moroccan evening dress by Anna Valentine embroidered with Dagger Log, Antigua's national flower. The menu featured local produce including avocados, Mahi Mahi, and the famous black Antiguan pineapple as a caramelised tarte tatin.
Guests were offered 'The Commonwealth 56' cocktail, a spin on the French 75 made with Antilles Stillhouse Pink Sorrel Hibiscus Gin, Buckingham Palace honey syrup, and English sparkling wine. Table decorations included handmade seedwork mats with wild tamarind seeds and ceramic shapes reflecting the remains of over 200 sugar mills across Antigua.
Charles was seated at table one between Antiguan and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Tuvalu Prime Minister Feleti Teo, while Camilla sat nearby between Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis and Australia's Anthony Albanese. The King and Queen will fly back to London today before attending Remembrance events over the weekend.
