The Countess of
Wessex was left startled by a bird on Saturday, as it swooped down over
her head and almost knocked her sunglasses off her head.
Sophie was invited to see St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ national bird, the Amazona guildingii, as part
of her visit to the botanical gardens in the country on Saturday.
But as she entered the aviary,
the countess was unaware of one bird resting on the cage above her.
Her husband the Earl of
Wessex was walking in behind her when the bird left its perch and flew
over the top of her head, forcing her to duck down and leaving her sunglasses
falling down onto her face.
The Countess and guests all
laughed at the moment, which helped to lighten the mood, and Sophie was later
introduced to the Amazona guildingii, feeding the birds from the palm of her
hand.
A group of around 15
protesters displayed placards on Saturday as the pair made their way to
Government House on the island. Banners read “end to colonialism” and
“#CompensationNow”, as well as “Britain your debt is
outstanding”.
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| The bird swooped down off its perch |
The demonstration comes
shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were criticized for elements of
their recent Caribbean tour, deemed to hark back to colonial days.
Sophie and Edward arrived in
Saint Lucia on Friday for the beginning of the week-long royal tour
of the Caribbean ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
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Sophie is on the tour with her husband Prince Edward
Over the upcoming days, the
royal couple will also visit Antigua and Barbuda, where they are set to meet
communities, and official leaders and explore the islands.
The Countess of Wessex plans
to speak to women in leadership roles about the community’s response to the
eruption of the La Soufriere Volcano while visiting Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines in the upcoming days.
