A technical glitch at a British independent radio station has sparked an embarrassing public mistake, prompting a formal apology after the outlet incorrectly broadcast news of King Charles III’s death. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, May 19, saw an unexpected computer malfunction at Radio Caroline’s main headquarters accidentally trigger the station’s pre-written “Death of a Monarch” emergency protocol, sending the false announcement live on air before staff managed to pause regular programming.
Station manager Peter Moore later shared a public statement via social media platforms detailing how the error was caught: the period of radio silence that followed the false announcement tipped off the on-duty team to the gone-wrong process, allowing them to quickly restore normal programming and deliver an immediate on-air apology to audiences.
Local and international media outlets have noted that the radio outlet has not released any details on how long the incorrect announcement stayed on the broadcast. Additionally, by Wednesday, partial recordings of Tuesday’s programming that would capture the incident were no longer available on the station’s online platforms.
In its official closing statement, Radio Caroline extended its regret to both the monarch and its audience: “We apologise to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”
Crucially, at the time the error went out on air, King Charles III was not only alive but carrying out a full schedule of public engagements alongside Queen Camilla in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The royal couple was participating in a series of cultural outreach events during the visit, including joining a local folk music performance for attendees.