LONDON (Web Desk) – Former British pirate radio station Radio Caroline has issued a public apology after mistakenly broadcasting an announcement claiming that King Charles III had died, triggering concern among listeners across the United Kingdom.
According to the station, the false announcement aired on Tuesday afternoon due to a technical computer malfunction at its main studio in Maldon, Essex. The incident unintentionally activated the emergency “death of a monarch” procedure — a special protocol maintained by British broadcasters in preparation for the eventual passing of a reigning monarch.
In a statement shared on social media, Radio Caroline station manager Peter Moore explained that the system error accidentally launched the sensitive protocol.
“The error triggered the so-called death of a monarch procedure, which all UK stations hold in readiness while hoping not to require,” Moore said in the Facebook post.
Following the mistaken announcement, the station reportedly went silent temporarily, as required under official broadcasting procedures related to royal death announcements. The unexpected silence quickly alerted station staff, who then restored normal programming and issued an on-air apology to listeners.
Moore stressed that the incident was entirely accidental and expressed regret for the distress it may have caused to the royal family and the public.
“We apologise to His Majesty the King and to our listeners for any distress caused,” he said.
The apology came as King Charles III and Queen Camilla were visiting Northern Ireland, where they attended a cultural event featuring an Irish folk music performance. There was no indication that the royal couple was affected by the erroneous broadcast.
British media reports noted that archived playback from Radio Caroline’s Tuesday afternoon programming — between approximately 1:58pm and 5:00pm — was unavailable on the station’s website on Wednesday, fueling further public curiosity about the mishap.
The incident has drawn widespread attention online, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding royal news in Britain and the strict protocols followed by broadcasters during national emergencies involving the monarchy.
Radio Caroline holds a unique place in British broadcasting history. Established in 1964, the station became famous for challenging the BBC’s radio monopoly by broadcasting popular music from ships anchored off the English coast. The station emerged as a symbol of independent broadcasting during a period when music options on British radio were limited.
Although new legislation introduced in 1967 forced many pirate radio stations to shut down, Radio Caroline continued operations intermittently over the decades before ending its offshore broadcasts permanently in 1990.
Today, the station continues to broadcast legally and maintains a loyal audience nostalgic for Britain’s pirate radio era. However, this week’s accidental royal death announcement has become one of the most talked-about moments in its recent history.
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