King Charles shrugs off rain and teams up with legendary cricketer to offer him major new role

King Charles shrugs off rain and teams up with legendary cricketer to offer him major new role Legendary West Indies bastman Sir Vivian Richards met the King as they visited the national stadium that bears his name in Antigua and accepted an invitation to work with Charles on one of his beloved projects Cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards spoke of his "immense privilege" to represent the King in Antigua and across the Commonwealth. The West Indies World Cup winner was invited to meet the King and Queen at the National stadium that bears his name, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this week. Regarded as the most talented batsman of his era, winning the 1975 and 1979 World Cups and captaining the side from the mid-1980s until 1991, Sir Vivian appeared alongside fellow West Indies legends, Sir Curtly Ambrose, Sir Andy Roberts, and Sir Richie Richardson, for a private meeting with Charles and Camilla, followed with an Independence Ceremonial Parade at the stadium. Greeting Sir Vivian like an old friend, Charles last said it was “so good to see you again”. Sir Vivian said: “Having the King here, on our island, as we host so many world leaders, is an important time in our history. The King is a great ambassador, not only for the commonwealth but also the young people, he's very, very invested in the future and that's the focus needs to be on. “We have many issues we want the world leaders to discuss and take away from being here, to recognise the struggle of our islands, with climate change and opportunities for the future, and if we are positive going into these next few days, and people have their minds and hearts open, then it can be really positive.” Earlier last night, the King joked he was “growing watercress on my trousers” after he and the Queen were drenched in a Caribbean torrent as they marked Antigua and Barbuda’s 45th anniversary of independence, at the nation’s annual independence parade. Charles and Camilla watched the islands’ military and police personnel perform ceremonial drills and marches, but were soaked at the start of the evening. Welcomed by the chief of defence staff, Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin, and the commissioner of police of the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Everton Jeffers, the King and Queen arrived to cheers in the stadium. But just as they took to the dais to take the salute, the heavens opened, with Charles and Camilla getting drenched as aides scrambled to find umbrellas. Camilla’s brolly was located first, with the King looking tetchy and angrily motioning for one as if he was holding an umbrella and saying “where’s the umbrella” as it took a few more minutes for the equerry to find him a one. The Queen then made her way to a sheltered dais with the Governor General and his wife, while Charles headed off to inspect the troops in the heavy rain. The ceremony, watched by around 5,000 spectators, then included a trooping of the band, a march-past to huge cheers from the crowds, a three cheers salute to the nation and the firing of the feu-de-joie. As a mark of the King's respect for the legendary cricketer, Sir Vivian accepted and invitation on behalf of the King to be an ambassador for his Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) scheme, saying: “I can't tell you what an immense privilege it is to be asked and I have gladly accepted. I am delighted to help my country and these islands raise the profile in any way I can.” As part of its exclusive partnership with Chogm, the King’s Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), founded by King Charles in 2020 when he was Prince of Wales, will this week deliver a number of key moments throughout the programme. The partnership extends to the Commonwealth Business Forum 2026, as well as being partner for One Commonwealth Night, the flagship live cultural experience of CHOGM 2026 and the CHOGM Leaders Cricket Match. A spokesperson for the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), said: “The partnership reflects the growing importance of sustainability, investment and private-sector action to the Commonwealth's future. Speaking after his meeting with the King and Queen, Sir Curtley Ambrose, considered to be one of the sports best ever bowlers, renowned for his devastating pace delivered from a towering 6ft 8inch frame, joked with Charles “you look different in real life”. Speaking afterwards he said: “Super happy to be here and a great honour to be asked alongside my countrymen. Whenever they call, I'll be there and ready to help in any way I can.” While a colourful and noisy festival parade, featuring fire eaters and gymnasts performing on the cricket ground as a crowd of thousands joined in songs played by a DJ blasting out over the ground’s speakers, Charles held a private meeting with the President of Kenya, William Ruto, who is the captain of the Wider Commonwealth Cricket Team, and President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who is the captain of the Caribbean Commonwealth Cricket Team. Afterwards the King was invited to toss a commemorative coin to decide which side took to the field first, in a five over match, between a selection of Heads of Government played against a team of Caribbean leaders. The Chogm match was followed by a ten over game between Commonwealth Future Stars Under-23, showcasing emerging Commonwealth cricketers.