A routine broadcast on Radio Caroline in Essex was abruptly interrupted Tuesday with an on-air announcement that King Charles III had died—while he was later seen alive and well on tour in Northern Ireland. The station apologized Wednesday, saying a computer e
For a stretch of Tuesday afternoon, the music simply stopped.
Anyone listening to Radio Caroline in Essex, England got a shock when the station interrupted its regularly scheduled programming to announce King Charles III’s death. What was playing when the cut happened was “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes—then a man’s voice took over.
“This is Radio Caroline. We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of formal respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III. ” he said. before repeating the message a second time: “This is Radio Caroline. His Majesty King Charles III has passed away. As a mark of respect, we will now be playing suitable continuous music until further notice.”.
He didn’t stop there. A third version landed even harder: “The news media has confirmed that his Majesty King Charles III has passed away. Consequently, as a mark of respect Radio Caroline is suspending its normal programmes.”
After that, the British national anthem was played.
But in the middle of those announcements, King Charles III was apparently still alive. The next day, he was on a tour in Northern Ireland with his wife, Queen Camilla, and he was even cracking jokes about getting pooped on by a seagull. He reportedly looked “totally fine.” So what happened?
Radio Caroline said it was an error.
In an apology shared on Facebook by station manager Peter Moore on Wednesday. the station claimed a “computer error” at its main studio triggered a procedure used by UK stations. Moore wrote that the “death of a monarch procedure” was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (May 19). mistakenly announcing that “HM the King had passed away.”.
The statement said Radio Caroline then went silent “as would be required,” which later prompted the station to restore programming and issue an on-air apology.
The message continued that Radio Caroline had been “pleased to broadcast Her Majesty the Queen’s, and now the King’s, Christmas message” and added, “We hope to do so for many years to come.” It closed with an apology to “HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”
By the time the correction arrived. the damage was already done: for listeners in Essex. it was a sudden. formal. broadcast-wide announcement of a monarch’s death—complete with anthem—followed almost immediately by the question no one could shake: if the King was touring and joking the next day. how could the station have sounded so certain?.
The station’s explanation, for now, points to the same answer: it wasn’t intent. It was a system meant for the unthinkable that somehow flipped on too soon.
Radio Caroline King Charles III Essex accidental announcement monarch death procedure Peter Moore computer error British national anthem 4 Non Blondes