Overview
- Radio Caroline said the false death announcement was accidentally triggered on Tuesday afternoon when a computer error activated its 'Monarch' protocol during a live show.
- The error interrupted a song, briefly played 'God Save The King', and led to a short silence before staff realised the mistake and resumed programming.
- Station manager Peter Moore apologised on air and online and removed the programme segment from the station's mediathek, but a clip of the false announcement continues to circulate on social media.
- King Charles III was alive and on an official visit to Northern Ireland at the time, and his ongoing cancer treatment helps explain why the false report spread and drew immediate attention.
- The incident highlights risks in using automated or pre-prepared royal protocols and raises questions about technical safeguards broadcasters use to prevent similar misinformation in future.