King Charles III is alive and continuing his royal duties, despite a UK radio station's mistaken on-air announcement of his death that has now landed the broadcaster in breach of national media regulations.
Ofcom, the UK's media watchdog, ruled Monday that Essex-based Radio Caroline violated broadcasting rules after pre-recorded "in the event of death" files were accidentally played during "The Barry Marsh Show" on May 19. Listeners heard a message stating normal programming had been suspended "as a mark of respect following the passing of His Majesty King Charles III," followed by the national anthem and roughly 16 minutes of silence.
Radio Caroline said a staff member came across the obituary files while performing routine studio maintenance and accidentally triggered them. Because the presenter was broadcasting remotely and not monitoring his output, it took about 30 minutes before an apology and correction aired. Ofcom found the station breached two rules - one requiring accurate news reporting, and another requiring prompt on-air correction of errors - calling it "a very significant inaccuracy about an issue of particular public importance." The station, a volunteer-run operation with roots as a 1964 pirate broadcaster, has since removed the files from studio computers and reprimanded the employee involved.
The false alarm arrives as the real story of King Charles' health continues on a hopeful note. The monarch, who announced his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, revealed in December 2025 that his treatment schedule would be reduced in 2026 thanks to early diagnosis and ongoing care. In that same message, Charles reflected on prayer as part of the journey, saying he hoped people would "pledge... to play our part" in supporting one another through illness - words that echo the outpouring of prayers and well-wishes he has received from the public throughout his treatment.
King Charles remains active in his duties as monarch.
