Royal Couple Makes Joint Appearance in Antigua
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended an Anglican church service at St John's Pentecostal House of Restoration in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday morning. The appearance marked the first time the royal couple had been seen together in public since Queen Camilla arrived from the United Kingdom on Thursday.
The King and Queen were welcomed by Governor-General Sir Rodney Williams and his wife, Lady Sandra Williams. They were greeted by a steel pan band and representatives of the 56 Commonwealth nations present for the event.
Queen Camilla, aged seventy-nine, wore a turquoise chiffon dress designed by Anna Valentine. She paired the outfit with turquoise and diamond earrings from her private collection and a multicolored beaded bracelet crafted by a local vendor. King Charles, aged seventy-seven, wore a tie gifted by Dame Edna Everage and a pocket square made from traditional Antiguan madras fabric.
Attendees at the service included Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Foreign Affairs Minister Chet Greene, Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, Janet Cooper OBE, and cricket legend Sir Viv Richards. The service featured hymns led by the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Orchestra and the Inspire Youth Choir, which previously performed at Buckingham Palace in 2018.
CHOGM Diplomatic Context and Slavery Apology Talks
The church service served as a cultural prelude to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026, which focuses on unity and partnership. The King is present in his capacity as Head of the Commonwealth.
Diplomatic tensions have surrounded the monarch's visit following signals from British Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding historical reparations. On the eve of CHOGM, Burnham signaled openness to negotiations regarding an apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
Buckingham Palace had previously stated that the tour would follow government advice, which ruled out formal apologies or reparations. Consequently, the King focused on acknowledging the shameful aspects of the past rather than issuing new commitments during his itinerary.
King's Caribbean Tour and Upcoming CHOGM Address
The King’s eight-day Caribbean tour has been viewed as a diplomatic success despite political complexities. He has maintained a packed schedule while undergoing cancer treatment.
During the tour, the King acknowledged the great suffering and injustices of the past in Nassau, Bahamas. He also visited a site in Georgetown, Guyana, where rebelling slaves were executed by British authorities.
The King is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech to CHOGM delegates on Tuesday to address critical regional concerns.