UK radio listeners were stunned yesterday when a broadcaster suddenly announced the death of the King. Radio Caroline initiated ’Death of a Monarch’ procedure at around 2.06pm during Barry Marsh’s show informing the nation King Charles III had passed and programme schedules would be altered.
The royal faux pas lasted for around 20 mins and the broadcast segment is now blank on the station’s listen again service. A fit and healthy Monarch was enjoying a tour of Belfast with Queen Camilla on Tuesday at the time of the announcement and appeared in rude health.
The station apologised and blamed the mishap on a “computer error”. The blunder comes as the King, 77, has undergone a well publicised battle with cancer.
Listener and structural engineer Phil White, 45, was a client’s property when he heard the shocking announcement.
Phil, from Staffordshire, said: “I was just listening to radio Caroline at my customer’s house, he had it on in the back ground, when the came on an announced that they were altering their programming after the announcement of the kings death.
“I was shocked and saddened. I had to ask my customers if Radio Caroline was known for practical jokes on their shows, he said they weren’t.
“I then spent the next hour trying to do my job, but thinking about the King’s death, it was horrible”
The Daily Express has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Peter Moore, station manager at Radio Caroline, said: “Due to a computer error at our main studio 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 HRH 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. We apologise to HRH the King and to our listeners for any distress caused
“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.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
