British prime minister Boris Johnson had a momentary disaster with an umbrella today while sat next to, of all people, Prince Charles.
Johnson and Charles were in attendance at the National Memorial Arboretum today in Alrewas, Staffordshire where the royal was unveiling a new 12-metre high £4 million memorial that recognised police officers who have died in the line of duty.
However, before the statue was officially unveiled, there was a brief downpour and Johnson really managed to make a scene.
Firstly, Johnson, who already had the brolly over his head, appeared to offer it to someone who was sat behind Charles but, while doing this, managed to flick the latch that was holding the umbrella open, causing it to close again.
As anyone would, Johnson then tried to open the umbrella again but either did it too forcefully or was caught by a gust of wind, prompting the whole thing to turn inside out and causing the prime minister to look completely befuddled by what had just happened. Meanwhile, Charles was far too engaged in conversation to notice.
At this point, people had started to laugh at the debacle that was unfolding before them and even Johnson had to have a chuckle at his own expense. The prime minister then forcefully put the brolly back to normal (which surely can’t be good for the umbrella) and, by this point, even Charles was laughing.
....up, up and nearly away ☂️
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 28, 2021
PM Boris Johnson struggles with his umbrella whilst seated next to Prince Charles at a memorial recognising the sacrifice of police officers who have died on duty.
Read more here: https://t.co/ia9HUvj5LD pic.twitter.com/dCcMiVcwyn
This type of incident could only really happen to Johnson who has a litany of calamitous moments to his name and this is just another one to add to the pile. People clearly agree, with some feeling it was inappropriate to act in such a way considering the manner of the occasion.
Can't even be serious and respectful at a memorial ceremony 🤷♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
— Lorna Green (@LornaGr31237685) July 28, 2021
The man struggles to operate a hairbrush. Somehow I think an umbrella is beyond him. https://t.co/pY5OyTs6pS
— Chris Hack (@chrisjhack) July 28, 2021
Handles an umbrella the way he handles a pandemic… https://t.co/mR7uKDBc5j
— Richysax (@richysax) July 28, 2021
Laughing and joking making it all about him🤬 considering the event completely and utterly inappropriate!
— Mel (@melarowa_) July 28, 2021
What’s with these numpties and umbrellas?? pic.twitter.com/1EuGbncUcw
— Lucy #NeveTire Rowles 🌷💀⏳ (@LuluMcTavish) July 28, 2021
Jolly japes and all, but this is at an event to honour murdered police officers https://t.co/6AV4lfD9Kx
— Etan Smallman (@EtanSmallman) July 28, 2021
This is hardly the first time that Johnson has embarrassed himself in front of police officers. In September 2019, he gave a speech so long that an officer standing behind him almost fainted and earlier this week he was filmed talking to dog handlers at Surrey Police headquarters about his own dog’s “romantic urges.”
