A radio station broadcast across southern England and the Midlands mistakenly announced that Britain’s King Charles had died. The announcement included playing “God Save the King,” and normal programming stopped abruptly before hosts said programming had been suspended. The broadcast then ceased for about 15 minutes. After the hosts apologized, the station said the incident occurred because a computer error at its main studio accidentally activated a “Death of a Monarch” procedure used by UK stations. The station restored programming and issued an on-air apology to the King and listeners. The station also noted it had previously broadcast the Queen’s and now the King’s Christmas messages and hoped to continue. King Charles and Queen Camilla were in Belfast for a visit after attending the Royal Chelsea Flower Show.
"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 (19 May), 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."
"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 apologise to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused."
"One online listener said that the usual broadcast abruptly stopped before the hosts said that normal programming had been suspended, before the broadcast ceased for 15 minutes. After the hosts apologised for the confusion, it emerged that the announcement had been made due following a "computer error"."
"It was a shock, but after telling my wife and neighbours I realised it was a mistake - and perhaps it was the relief, but then the laughter set in. While others referred to it as an "honest mistake", another wrote: "I heard this while working in our garage. I dashed indoors shouting to the missus 'He's dead ! Charlie is bloody dead!'.""
Read at Irish Independent
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