Radio Caroline has issued a public apology after mistakenly broadcasting a false announcement claiming that King Charles III had died.
According to reports, the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the station’s Essex studio after a pre-prepared emergency broadcast system meant for the eventual death of a monarch was accidentally triggered.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the station’s manager, Peter Moore, explained that the broadcaster’s “Death of a Monarch” procedure was activated due to a computer malfunction.
“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,” Moore stated.
The station explained that staff quickly realised something was wrong after sudden silence followed the false announcement.
Normal programming was later restored and an on-air apology was issued immediately afterward.
Radio Caroline also apologised directly to King Charles III and listeners for the confusion and distress caused by the incident.
“We apologise to HM the king and to our listeners for any distress caused,” Moore added.
The station further noted that it has maintained a long-standing relationship with the British royal family, including broadcasting annual Christmas messages.
The report stated that the broadcaster did not disclose how long the incorrect announcement remained on air before it was corrected.
At the time of the incident, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were reportedly on an official visit to Northern Ireland.
During the trip, the royal couple attended cultural events and toured Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.
Founded in 1964, Radio Caroline became famous as one of Britain’s best-known pirate radio stations, originally broadcasting from ships located off the English coast.
Its history later inspired the 2009 film The Boat That Rocked starring Bill Nighy and Philip Seymour Hoffman.
In a separate broadcasting mishap this week, the BBC also apologised after listeners reportedly heard a repeat episode of a programme hosted by Elaine Paige due to a scheduling error.
