British radio station accidentally announces death of King Charles

Radio Caroline, in a technical error, mistakenly announced the death of King Charles III and issued an apology. 

Radio Caroline of Essex on Wednesday afternoon had to issue an apology after a ‘computer error’ caused their automated system, which is activated the moment a member of the royal family dies, to air live for listeners across the Midlands and South England.

The announcement on Wednesday said,

“This is Radio Caroline. The news media has confirmed that His Majesty King Charles II has passed away. Consequently, as a mark of respect, Radio Caroline is suspending its normal programmes.”

The station then went on to play the national anthem, ‘God Save the King’, followed by repeated announcements.

Following the egregious error, Radio Caroline went off air for a period, with many calling the mistake ‘awful’.

In a statement, Station Manager Peter Moore later clarified,

Due to a computer error at our main studio the Death of a Monarch procedure, which all UK stations hold in readiness while hoping not to require, was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (May 19), mistakenly announcing that [HM] the King had passed away. Radio Caroline then fell silent as would be required, which alerted us to restore programming and issue an on-air apology. Caroline has been pleased to broadcast Her Majesty the Queen’s, and now the King’s, Christmas Message and we hope to do so for many years to come. We apologise to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.

Protocols surrounding the death of a royal are steeped in tradition for the British. One such intricacy involves blue flashing lights (obit lights) installed in most radio and television stations that, when lit, alert those on air to move to appropriate music or, for those on camera, to don black clothing. An official notification is released via the Palace, triggering minute-by-minute procedures that involve personnel from the highest levels of government, such as the Prime Minister, down to those who manage crowd barriers outside Royal Residences.