A worker at the UK-based Radio Caroline station played a pre-recorded announcement declaring King Charles III dead out of curiosity, a finding by the UK's telecommunications regulator Ofcom revealed. The employee discovered the audio files while performing maintenance on a studio computer and activated them without realizing they would be broadcast live.
Following the accidental broadcast, the worker reportedly panicked and left the station's premises, according to Ofcom. The station interrupted its regular programming to play the false announcement, which stated, "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." A rendition of "God Save the King" was then played before the station fell silent for 16 minutes.
Approximately 30 minutes after the erroneous report aired, a presenter clarified that the King was alive. "I've just been informed that we've played in error some information a little earlier," the presenter stated. "I didn't hear this myself, but it is incorrect, it's a technical issue, and of course we apologise."
Ofcom criticized the station for the significant inaccuracy and the delay in issuing a correction, noting the matter was of "particular public importance." Radio Caroline stated that it took the incident seriously, reprimanded the employee involved, and removed the erroneous files from the computer. The station maintained that it acted as swiftly as possible once the mistake was realized.
King Charles was later seen interacting with the public during a trip to Northern Ireland, demonstrating he was in good health. The incident occurred on May 19.