A UK radio station has mistakenly announced King Charles’ death and played ‘God Save The King’.
On Tuesday (May 19), Radio Caroline – which services the Midlands and South England – interrupted 4 Non Blondes’ ‘What’s Up’ to falsely announce that King Charles III had died. The declaration was followed by a recording of ‘God Save The King’, along with a 15 minute period of silence. The hosts reportedly apologised upon arriving back on air.
Now, station manager Peter Moore has officially apologised on social media. “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,” Moore wrote.
“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,” he added. “We apologise to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused.”
🚨🇬🇧 NEW: The moment Radio Caroline accidentally announced the death of King Charles live on air
King Charles has not passed away pic.twitter.com/RpBzoCmcFa
— Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) May 20, 2026
Last May, Rod Stewart told the King that he “put that little ratbag” Donald Trump “in his place”.
Stewart made the comments to the monarch at an event in London yesterday (Monday May 11), which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the King’s Trust, formerly the Prince’s Trust.
The King had recently visited the US to discuss the “indispensable alliance” between the UK and the States, called on America’s continued defence of Ukraine, and outlined the importance of NATO.
“You were superb. Absolutely superb. You put that little ratbag in his place,” Stewart told the monarch, to which the King appeared to laugh.
Elsewhere, King Charles has hailed RAYE “a great ambassador for British music”.