Prince Charles has seemingly been caught nodding off during a late-night ceremony in Barbados as the nation officially became a republic.
Footage from the event, which was packed with song, dance and declarations of renewed independence, showed the future king slumping in his seat as his eyes drooped shut.
The Prince of Wales appeared to nod off for a few seconds, before quickly regaining his composure and sitting upright again, his eyes open.
In the clip, which you can watch above, a member of the Barbadian military can be seen watching as Charles succumbed to a brief moment of exhaustion.
Prince Charles appeared to nod off during the ceremony.
(Sunrise)
Charles was in Barbados to recognise the nation’s landmark decision to remove the Queen as its head of state and officially become a republic.
Barbados’ government announced the plans last year, voting for a new president – former governor-general Sandra Mason – who was sworn in last night at the ceremony., which went on into the early hours of the morning.
The Prince of Wales also played a key role in the festivities, delivering a speech as the first senior royal to ever attend a ceremony where a Commonwealth nation became a republic.
In his speech, he addressed the nation’s history as a former British colony and referred to slavery as an “appalling atrocity”.
“The creation of this Republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum—a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled, but which you have built,” he told the crowd.
“From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.
“Emancipation, self-government and Independence were your way-points. Freedom, justice and self-determination have been your guides.”
The Queen also sent a special message to the government and people of Barbados, which was shared across the royal family’s social media channels.
She extended her congratulations to all Barbadians and wrote: “I firt visited your beautiful country on the eve of independence in early 1966, and I am very pleased that my son is with you today.”
However, some locals were unhappy that Charles attended the event and was honoured with the Order of the Freedom of Barbados, presented to him by President Mason.
Barbadian protesters said that Britain’s colonial history in Barbados was not something to be celebrated and that Charles should not have been invited as the country celebrated becoming a republic.
“[He] shouldn’t be here at all… how can you honour a member of the royal family that exploited the people of Barbados?” protest organiser David Denny told Town & Country.
As for the moment that Charles nodded off during the ceremony, it’s no surprise that the royal is feeling tired after his busy November schedule.
The future king started the month in Glasgow, Scotland for the Cop26 climate change summit, before embarking on a whirlwind tour of Egypt and Jordan.
He then jetted to Barbados and will return to England today, where he is expected to remain over the holiday season and take a well-earned break.
