BADENOCH DECLARES SUPPORT FOR KING CHARLES AMID DIANA MEMOIR DISPUTE

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has publicly backed King Charles as controversy grows over claims contained in a forthcoming memoir by Earl Spencer, the younger brother of the late Princess Diana. Badenoch made her position known while responding to questions about the dispute surrounding Spencer’s account of his relationship with the King and events following Diana’s death in 1997.

Speaking during an interview with the BBC, Badenoch said she remained firmly on the side of the monarch. She also pointed to the position already expressed by Buckingham Palace regarding the allegations in Spencer’s book, saying she would repeat the response issued by the King or by the Palace on his behalf.

The book, titled Spencer’s Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, is currently being serialised by the Daily Mail ahead of its publication and contains several claims concerning King Charles and his former relationship with Diana. Among the allegations, Spencer claims that Charles told him days after Diana died, “Rest assured, we’ll forget her soon enough.” He further alleges that the King appeared “giddily elated” after learning of Diana’s death.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment directly on the book, saying it does not discuss books as a matter of principle. However, the Palace said the King recognised that the pain associated with the loss of a sibling can affect a person’s judgment and memories, including many years after the event. Spencer has rejected any suggestion that his account is inaccurate, maintaining that he was telling the truth and that the words attributed to Charles were exactly what the King said.

The dispute has also attracted reaction from former royal correspondent Charles Rae, who said he was shocked by Spencer’s allegations. Rae argued that Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, had been deeply affected by Diana’s death and said he would be extremely surprised if the former Prince had made comments of the nature alleged about the mother of his two sons. Spencer, however, has continued to stand by his account despite the Palace’s response.