King Charles and Queen Camilla continue the final leg of their Caribbean tour, with a busy day of engagements across Antigua and Barbuda.
King Charles and Queen Camilla might be on a royal tour in the Caribbean, but this week also marks the start of Remembrance Month. In honor of the military veterans who lost their lives in the line of duty, the couple wore a red poppy, a symbol of sacrifice and resilience, during their outing in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday.
Ira Deokule
The King visited the Gardens Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society, where he spoke to Barbara Gapal, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Horticultural Society. He also learned about local herbs and flower seeds. The gardening enthusiast seemed excited, baffled, and curious to know more about what one can only assume would be his favorite subject.
Ira Deokule
While King Charles and Queen Camilla's outing to Agave Garden was wholesome, their visit to the Government House took on a rather sombre tone. Alongside the president of the Historical and Archaeological Society Dr. Reg Murphy, the King viewed a cabinet displaying slavery shackles at a museum about slavery.
As demands for apologies and reparations for the slave trade increase, this visit certainly served as a dark reminder of a horrifying past.
Ira Deokule
The royals couldn't have asked for a better start to their day! After visiting shops and planting seeds, the couple participated in a drink-tasting session at Agave Gardens.
Ira Deokule
Queen Camilla didn't seem to mind getting her hands a little dirty as she planted an agave seedling along with school children from the youth horticulture initiative, Little Seeds Club. The children looked excited to work alongside her too.
Ira Deokule
King Charles and Queen Camilla perused the variety of shops set up at Agave Gardens, displaying their locally sourced produce, from accessories to beautiful artifacts. They also spoke to seedworkers and coconut leaf weavers from the Workshop for the Blind. Wonder if they shopped for some gifts for their families in the UK.
Ira Deokule
King Charles and Queen Camilla started their Day 2 in Antigua and Barbuda with a cause close to their heart. They visited Agave Gardens, a drought-resistant garden and seed bank, and home to the Horticultural Society, on Monday. Upon arrival, they spoke with Horticultural Society member Jackie Ferracho Williams. Certainly a refreshing beginning to the day!
Ira Deokule