Radio station apologises after accidentally announcing death of King Charles

They've issued a statement

According to listeners, normal broadcasting was interrupted with an announcement saying the King had passed away.

The radio station then played God Save the King, and the broadcast was then stopped for around 15 minutes before they came back on air.

The hosts then immediately apologised after the broadcast came back.

The blunder came from Radio Caroline, a UK-based broadcaster who serve the Midlands and the South of England.

In an official statement issued after the accidental announcement, Radio Caroline said a studio error led to the Obit procedure being triggered.

“We apologise to HRH the King and to our listeners for any distress caused," the broadcaster said in a statement signed by station manager Peter Moore.

"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," Moore wrote on Facebook.

"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."

The comments section is full of listeners and fans reacting to the blunder.

"Non of us go through life without making the odd mistake," one person wrote.

A second joked: "Plus side at least you know the procedure for this is working and in place."

"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," another listener said.

You are able to listen to the broadcast on Radio Fail.

What is the process for when the monarch dies?

Most media outlets have an OBIT procedure in the case of major deaths, and in particular for when the monarch dies.

When Queen Elizabeth II passed away, the BBC immediately suspended normal operations as Operation London Bridge was launched.

The radio stations then switched to playing sombre music and stopped playing regular songs.

Major media centres will undoubtedly already have plans in place of what will happen to their programming when the King passes.

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