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Don’t trust everything you hear on the radio!
FRONT ROYAL, VIRGINIA – APRIL 30: King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a community block party and pot luck celebrating America’s 250th ‘birthday’, on day four of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America, on April 30, 2026 in Front Royal, Virginia. King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the nation’s capital, New York City, and Virginia during the trip arranged to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary of its independence. (Photo by Aaron Chown-Pool/Getty Images)
On Tuesday, Radio Caroline in Essex, England, announced that King Charles had passed away. But he didn’t.
The station has since apologized for “any distress caused” and blamed the mistake on technology. “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 HM the King had passed away,” station manager Peter Moore said on Facebook.
The post continued, “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.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 29: King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend a cultural reception at Rockefeller Center during a state visit on April 29, 2026 in New York City. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III toured the nation’s capital where he met with U.S. President Trump at the White House and addressed a joint meeting of Congress before traveling to New York City as part of a multi-day trip to mark the United States of America’s 250th anniversary of its independence. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“We apologize to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused,” the post ended.
The station had been playing “What’s Up” by 4 Non Blondes when the music cut out. Then, a voice came on saying, “This is Radio Caroline. We have suspended our normal programs until further notice as a mark of formal respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III,” per The Telegraph.
The voice then added, “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.” The station also played the British national anthem.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 28: Britain’s King Charles III addresses a Joint Meeting of Congress at the U.S. Capitol during day two of the State Visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States of America on April 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. In his first visit to the U.S. as the British monarch, King Charles III is addressing Congress as part of a multi-day trip to the nation’s capital, New York City, and Virginia celebrating the United States of America’s 250th anniversary of its independence. (Photo by Henry Nicholls-Pool/Getty Images)
King Charles is alive and well, but now we know Radio Caroline is prepared for the worst.
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