Prince Charles (open in new tab) proved this week his uncanny ability to keep a straight face amidst objectively amusing chaos, teaching an impromptu master class in royal stoicism.

The Royal Family was among the VIP guests attending the dedication of the National British Police Memorial in Stafford, England, on July 28. The monument honors the courage and sacrifice of the British police who dedicated their lives to protecting the public. The monument was designed by Walter Jacques and is located in the National Memorial Arboretum, along with 350 other memorials to military, civilian, and volunteer organizations that have served their country.

All this is to illustrate how solemn and serious the event was. Prince Charles was seated next to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who struggled mightily with his umbrella when the outdoor event was hit by light rain.

Somehow, Charles (opens in new tab) maintained a completely unresponsive expression for most of the ordeal:

Even when Johnson made this face:

Eventually, when Johnson forced the umbrella back into functional shape, Charles smiled a little and acknowledged the awkward situation.

Apparently this is what royal courtesy is all about.