71 bags of rubbish: Charles and Camilla clean up an Antigua beach

After King Charles opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Tuesday morning, he and Queen Camilla went to Fort James Beach, a popular beach just outside the capital St John's in Antigua. There they picked up litter with young people from across the Commonwealth, and the Queen took off her shoes and walked barefoot on the sand.

The couple were received by the Governor-General, Sir Rodney Williams, and Jennifer Meranto, founder and chief executive of Adopt a Coastline. She and two youth ambassadors from the organisation told them about their work to protect the coastline.

71 bags in two hours

The young people had collected 71 bags of rubbish in two hours, and the King tried the litter picker himself. Chantal Miller, founder of Island Girls Rock, said afterwards that the King was surprised. "He was shocked that we picked up so much in that short a time," she said.

Fort James Beach lies below one of the oldest forts on the island. The beach is well used, but the sea keeps eating into the shore. According to geo.tv, the government of Antigua and Barbuda is looking at ways to restore the shoreline without taking away public access to the beach.

Swimming, rowing and volleyball

On the beach the couple also met the president of the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation, who spoke about the importance of water safety for children on an island and about a new swimming club. They also met Team Antigua Girls, an all-female crew planning to row across the Atlantic.

In a conservation tent they met groups working to protect wildlife and the mangroves along the coast. Finally they watched a short volleyball rally with the president of the volleyball association.

The school Princess Margaret opened

Queen Camilla then visited Princess Margaret School in St John's, where she was received by the Minister of Education. The school opened in 1955 as the first public secondary school on the island. It is named after Princess Margaret, the King's aunt, who opened it herself on 9 February 1955.

The Queen is Vice Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society, which runs The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition. The competition for school pupils dates back to 1883 and is considered the oldest international writing competition for schools in the world. At the school she met pupils taking part in a writing workshop linked to the competition, and viewed an exhibition of their art.

Among those accompanying her was Jodie Haydon, wife of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The pupils also showed her one of the school's animals, and the Queen got to stroke a rabbit.

Dinner for the leaders

The King also met young people and leaders during the day. He attended a reception for new Commonwealth Heads of Government, and a Youth Forum reception at the University of the West Indies.

In the evening the King and Queen hosted a dinner for Commonwealth Heads of Government at Blue Waters, where they were received by Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey.

The King had asked for fresh Caribbean produce with a Buckingham Palace touch. Guests were served the "Commonwealth 56" cocktail, made with hibiscus gin and Buckingham Palace honey, and dessert was a tart made with Antigua's own black pineapple. The table mats were made by a local artisan.

"An umbrella for you all"

In his speech the King had the room laughing. The Commonwealth 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," he said. "Although perhaps part of my role as Head of the Commonwealth is to provide an umbrella for you all!"

The joke came two days after the King was left standing in a downpour at the Independence Day parade, while the Queen was handed an umbrella straight away.

Wednesday is the last day of the King's nine-day Caribbean tour.