A British radio station has apologized to the British monarch and his listeners after accidentally announcing the death of King Charles III.
“Due to a computer error in the main studio, procedures for the death of the monarch, which all UK stations had hoped would not be requested, were accidentally triggered on Tuesday afternoon (May 19), erroneously announcing that the king had passed away,” Radio Caroline chief Peter Moore said in a statement shared on social media on Wednesday.
“Radio Caroline then went into understandable silence, warning us to reinstate the program and issue an on-air apology,” he continued.
“Caroline is delighted to be able to broadcast Her Majesty’s and now the King’s Christmas message, and we hope to do so for many years to come,” Moore added.
“We apologize to His Majesty the King and all our listeners for any inconvenience caused,” the statement concluded.
Founded in 1964, Radio Caroline broadcasts in multiple countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, and is available online worldwide.
On the day of the false announcement, King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Tuesday that the 77-year-old and his wife took part in a cultural celebration at Thompson Dock, the dry ground where the Titanic stood before its maiden voyage.
There they met performers and organizers who are preparing for Fleadh Cheoil na HÉireann, the world-famous Irish traditional music festival to be held in August.
The palace said the royals also visited the Titanic distillery and learned about whisky-making, before the king visited a local charity that provides broad access to and promotes skills for digital careers.
The King and Queen then met with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Northern Ireland at Hillsborough Castle, a royal palace near Belfast.
King Charles, who revealed he was diagnosed with cancer in February 2024, said in a video message in December that his cancer treatment would be scaled back this year as he was responding well to treatment.
Last month, he visited New York and Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, and addressed Congress. The King also addressed the British Parliament last week.
