A UK radio station caused confusion after a Royal broadcast error led to a false announcement that King Charles III had died. The incident also triggered the unexpected playing of “God Save The King” before the mistake was corrected.
Radio Caroline, which broadcasts across the Midlands and parts of southern England, interrupted music programming on Tuesday afternoon. The station cut into 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up” to deliver the incorrect announcement about the monarch.
Listeners then heard the national anthem followed by a prolonged period of silence. The interruption lasted around 15 minutes before presenters returned to air and corrected the message. Station manager Peter Moore later issued a public apology on social media. He explained that a technical fault activated a system designed for rare emergency broadcasting procedures.
Moore said the system mistakenly triggered a protocol used for announcing the death of a monarch. He added that staff did not intend to activate the procedure and quickly restored normal programming. He also confirmed that the station immediately resumed broadcasting once engineers identified the issue. The team then apologised directly to listeners during a live on-air statement.
The Royal broadcast error prompted concern among listeners, many of whom initially believed the announcement was genuine. However, the station quickly clarified that no such event had taken place. Moore stressed that Radio Caroline uses contingency systems for national emergencies, although they are rarely needed. He said the station regrets the distress caused by the technical mistake.
The station also highlighted its history of broadcasting major royal events. It referenced previous coverage of royal Christmas messages and other official broadcasts involving the monarchy. Officials reiterated that the error came from a computer malfunction rather than human intent. Engineers are now reviewing systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Royal broadcast error has sparked wider discussion about emergency alert systems used by broadcasters. Industry observers say safeguards may need tightening to avoid accidental activation. Despite the disruption, Radio Caroline resumed its normal schedule shortly after the incident. The station continues to operate across its usual coverage areas in the UK.
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