Death of King Charles III, mistakenly announced by a UK radio station. “I ran into the house shouting: 'He's dead!'”
A UK radio station has apologized after mistakenly broadcasting an announcement of the death of King Charles III, briefly triggering the official death of a monarch.
The coronation ceremony of King Charles. PHOTO Profimedia
Radio Caroline, which broadcasts in the south of England and the Midlands, abruptly stopped its regular program, played the hymn “God Save the King” and then went on air for about 15 minutes, according to The Independent.
Radio Caroline manager Peter Moore explained the incident in a Facebook post:
“Due to a computer error in our main studio, the 'Death of a Monarch' routine, which all UK stations keep ready while hoping they never have to use it, was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (May 19), wrongly announcing that HRH The King had passed away“.
The Tuesday afternoon show is not available on the radio's website.
“Caroline has had the pleasure of broadcasting Her Majesty the Queen's Christmas message and now the King's and we hope we can continue to do so for many years to come“, explained the manager.
The station also issued an official apology:
“We apologize to His Majesty the King and our listeners for any inconvenience caused“.
Listeners' reactions
The incident generated mixed reactions.
“It was a shock, but after I told my wife and the neighbors I realized it was a mistake – and maybe it was the relief, but then the laughter started.” one listener commented.
“Charlie's dead!”
Someone else said:
“I heard it while I was working in the garage. I ran into the house yelling to my wife, 'He's dead! Charlie's dead!' She looked puzzled and said: 'Well yesterday she was at the flower show'. After checking the news sites, I concluded that maybe I should give up alcohol for a while”.
The king was in Northern Ireland
At the time of the fake announcement, King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Belfast on their first visit to Northern Ireland this year. The three-day tournament is taking place under heightened security amid heightened activities by dissident republican groups.
The 77-year-old monarch continues treatment for cancer, diagnosis announced in 2024. According to Buckingham Palace, recovery is progressing favorably.
