Radio Caroline has apologised to King Charles III and its listeners after mistakenly broadcasting a false announcement claiming the British monarch had died.
According to station manager Peter Moore, the error occurred on Tuesday, May 19, when a computer malfunction accidentally activated the station’s “Death of a Monarch” protocol, a contingency procedure maintained by UK broadcasters for use in the event of a monarch’s death.
The mistaken activation caused the station to announce the King’s death before going off air temporarily, prompting staff to quickly restore programming and issue an apology.
Radio Caroline said it regretted the distress caused by the incident and reaffirmed its longstanding relationship with the Royal Family, noting that it has previously broadcast Christmas messages from the monarchy.
Founded in 1964, the station broadcasts across several countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, and also streams online globally.
At the time of the false announcement, King Charles and Queen Camilla were visiting Belfast, Northern Ireland, where they attended cultural and community events, including activities linked to the upcoming Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann festival.
The royal couple also visited Titanic Distillers and later met Northern Ireland’s first minister and deputy first minister at Hillsborough Castle.
King Charles, who disclosed in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with cancer, has continued with public engagements while reportedly responding positively to treatment.