A radio station recently announced the death of King Charles. However, the monarch was alive and even away on a royal visit at the time. Since then, the station has since offered an explanation, as well as an apology, on social media.
King Charles Was In Northern Ireland With Queen Camilla At The Time Of The Announcement
King Charles, often stylized as Charles III, is the King of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. He became king upon the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in 2022.
Recently, Charles became the subject of a radio death announcement. However, the British monarch was alive and on a royal visit with his spouse, Queen Camilla, in Northern Ireland at the time.
Radio Caroline in Essex, England, was playing the song “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes when the music abruptly stopped. It was announced that the music and normal programs would be suspended as a mark of respect in honor of the king’s death. The British national anthem was then broadcast.
Since the announcement, the station has issued an apology over the error. At the time, it was explained that an announcement that was already prepared in the event of the monarch’s passing was accidentally played.
Queen Elizabeth II Had Also Been The Subject Of A False Death Report In 2015
Station manager Peter Moore shared in a statement on Facebook that the incident was “due to a computer error at our main studio.” Because of this, “the death of a monarch procedure, which all UK stations hold in readiness while hoping not to require, was accidentally activated on Tuesday afternoon (May 19), mistakenly announcing that HM the King had passed away.”
“Radio Caroline then fell silent as would be required, which alerted us to restore programming and issue an on-air apology. Caroline has been pleased to broadcast Her Majesty the Queen’s, and now the King’s, Christmas message and we hope to do so for many years to come. We apologize to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”
As noted by People, the king was on a tour of Northern Ireland with Queen Camilla. The outlet described the event as a surprise three-day royal visit. The king had met with volunteers and gardeners, with the monarch himself known for his love of gardening.
CNN, in a video report of the incident, noticed that this wasn’t the first time that a royal was erroneously reported dead. In 2015, false reports were issued concerning Charles’ mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Reportedly, a rehearsal death announcement had been accidentally shared at the time.
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.