A UK radio station has apologised to King Charles III and its listeners for "any distress caused" after accidentally announcing the British monarch's death.
The erroneous announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon (local time) due to a computer error at Radio Caroline's main studio in Essex, northeast of London.
"This is Radio Caroline," the broadcast began.
"We have suspended our normal programmes until further notice as a mark of formal respect following the passing of his Majesty King Charles III.
"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 news media has confirmed that his Majesty King Charles III has passed away. Consequently as a mark of respect, Radio Caroline is suspending its normal programmes."
The station then played the national anthem.
In a post to Facebook, station manager Peter Moore wrote: "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 HM 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," he said.
"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."
Radio Caroline, established in 1964, is a former pirate radio station that operated from ships off the English coast.
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