Always on his majesty’s side, Badenoch backs King Charles in memoir row

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stated that she is "always on the side of His Majesty" in the ongoing dispute between King Charles and Earl Spencer regarding allegations in Spencer's upcoming memoir about Princess Diana. Badenoch made this remark during an interview with the BBC, as reported by GB News.

Spencer's upcoming memoir, titled 'Diana, My Sister', contains several claims about Charles and his relationship with Diana. Among these claims, Spencer alleges that Charles told him days after Diana's death in 1997, "Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough." Additionally, Spencer claimed that the King was "giddily elated" upon hearing of Diana's death.

Badenoch, when questioned about the controversy, affirmed, "I have a side and it’s always on the side of His Majesty." She also referred to a statement released by Buckingham Palace in response to the allegations.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on books, stating that it was a matter of principle. However, they noted that the King was aware that "the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and colour memory in ways others do not recognize, even many years after such a loss."

Spencer has defended his claims, insisting that he is "telling the truth" about what he claims Charles told him. He suggested that the Palace's response was "smudging" the issue, stating, "They’ve sort of smudged that one, haven’t they? They’ve said that recollections may vary." Spencer also rejected claims that the King's alleged comments had been misrepresented, asserting, "I can tell you here and now, those are exactly the words he said."

Former royal correspondent Charles Rae expressed shock and astonishment over Spencer's allegations. Rae stated he finds it "utterly, utterly shocking and surprising" if Charles would have made such comments, given the Prince's known grief and devastation following Diana's death.