False Report of King Charles III's Death Sparks Outrage
On May 19, the radio station Radio Caroline mistakenly reported the death of King Charles III. The incident was triggered by a computer system failure that activated a special 'Death of the Monarch' protocol in the main studio. Once the system was triggered, an announcement of the King's death aired, followed by the national anthem 'God Save the King'. The broadcast went silent for approximately 15 minutes.
The station issued a formal apology for the error. At the time of the false report, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were on a visit to Northern Ireland, attending events in Belfast. Station manager Peter Moore commented:
“The special 'Death of the Monarch' protocol was accidentally activated in the main studio.” - Peter Moore
King Charles III's Health Background
Radio Caroline was founded in 1964. It is worth noting that on February 5, 2024, Buckingham Palace's press office announced that cancer had been detected in King Charles III during an examination following prostate surgery. The King, who is 76 years old, began regular treatment but was briefly hospitalized due to an adverse reaction to therapy. After that, he returned to Clarence House residence, and planned public engagements were canceled. Buckingham Palace also released a message from the monarch to medical staff.
This incident underscores the critical importance of accuracy in media, especially regarding public figures like monarchs. Listener and public reactions to such news can be highly emotional, making it essential for radio stations to take measures to prevent similar mistakes in the future. It is also important to recognize that the royal family remains under close scrutiny, particularly when the monarch's health raises public concern.