Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has voiced her support for King Charles amid a dispute over allegations made by Earl Spencer in his upcoming memoir about the late Princess Diana.

Badenoch made the comment during a BBC interview while responding to questions about Spencer’s book, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, which is currently being serialised by the Daily Mail ahead of its release.

The memoir contains several claims about Charles and his relationship with Diana, including an allegation that Charles told Spencer shortly after Diana’s death in 1997 that she would soon be forgotten.

Spencer also claimed that Charles appeared “giddily elated” after being informed of Diana’s death.

Asked about the controversy, Badenoch said, “I have a side and it’s always on the side of His Majesty.”

The Conservative leader also referred to a statement from Buckingham Palace concerning the allegations, saying she would reiterate the position expressed by the Palace on the King’s behalf.

Buckingham Palace said it does not comment on books as a matter of principle. However, it noted that grief between siblings can affect a person’s judgment and memory, particularly many years after a painful loss.

Spencer has rejected the Palace’s response and maintained that his account is accurate. He said the words attributed to Charles were exactly what the King told him and denied that his recollection had been distorted.

Former royal correspondent Charles Rae also questioned the allegations, saying he would be extremely surprised if Charles had made such comments about Diana following her death.

Diana, the former Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997. She was the mother of Princes William and Harry.