The radio’s “Death of a Monarch” procedure, which all UK stations have at the ready when a member of the royal family passes, was accidentally activated.

WASHINGTON — A radio station in the UK has apologized for erroneously announcing King Charles III’s death.

Radio Caroline issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that a computer error led to the false announcement on Tuesday. The radio’s “Death of a Monarch” procedure, which all UK stations have at the ready when a member of the royal family passes, was accidentally activated.

As part of the procedure, the radio station fell silent as required. The station said the silent airwaves alerted them to the error and prompted them to 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,” the station said in its apology statement.

“We apologize to HM the King and to our listeners for any distress caused,” said Peter Moore, the station manager.

The playback for Tuesday’s show was missing from 1:58 p.m. until 5 p.m. local time.

King Charles and Queen Camila were traveling to Belfast, Northern Ireland, for a three-day trip, according to the  Royal Family event calendar.

During the visit, a seagull left a lasting impression on the king, dropping a splatter from above onto his jacket.

“Well, it didn’t land on my head,” the king quipped, according to Irene Marting, who witnessed the incident and met the composed king shortly afterward.

“Being hit by a seagull, it’s supposed to be good luck,” Marting said.

The king seemed to foreshadow his fate earlier in the day during a visit to a food pantry when he picked up a roll of toilet paper and said, “very important.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.