Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, claims Lady Susan Hussey, who is one of Prince William's godmothers, was racist towards her at a palace reception.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, claims Lady Susan Hussey, who is one of Prince William's godmothers, was racist towards her at a palace reception.
Prince William has weighed on a royal racism scandal that has engulfed Buckingham Palace.
Before a trip to the US today, the Prince of Wales said he was “really disappointed” to hear racism claims about a senior royal aide after, it’s claimed, she repeatedly asked a British black palace guest where she was “really from”.
The honorary member of the Buckingham Palace household - who has been named as Lady Susan Hussey, Prince William’s godmother - resigned after repeatedly asking a black woman who runs a charity for survivors of domestic abuse what country she “came from”, despite her insistence she was a British national.
The conversation was detailed on Twitter by Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, an east London refuge that provides specialist support for women of African and Caribbean heritage.
Mixed feelings about yesterday's visit to Buckingham Palace. 10 mins after arriving, a member of staff, Lady SH, approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur. Thanks @ManduReid & @SuzanneEJacob for support🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/OUbQKlabyq
The incident took place at a reception hosted by Camilla, the Queen Consort, for women working to fight domestic violence.
Fulani said when she told a household member she was from east London, she was asked: “No, what part of Africa are YOU from?”
The incident comes after allegations of racism by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who is married to Prince Harry.
Meghan, a biracial American, last year said a member of the royal household asked her what colour skin her baby would have when she was pregnant with her first child.
The palace said it took the incident extremely seriously and investigated the “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments”. The King and Queen Consort are understood to be “aware” of the incident.
Lady Susan, 83, served as Queen Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years and is a godmother to Prince William.
She was one of three courtiers kept on in unpaid honorary roles to aid the King, and was on duty at the reception to welcome guests and represent the royal household.
The alleged conversation occurred at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, when 300 guests joined the Queen Consort for a drinks reception honouring their work campaigning against domestic abuse and violence against women.
Charity leader Ngozi Fulani, centre left, chief executive of Sistah Space, attends a reception held by Britain's Camilla, the Queen Consort in Buckingham Palace, to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. Photo / AP
Hours after the event, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.
“In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
“In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.
“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”
A spokesman for the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are due to arrive in Boston later on Wednesday, said: “I was really disappointed to hear about the guest’s experience at Buckingham Palace last night.
“Obviously, I wasn’t there but I think it’s really important to note that racism has no place in our society.
“These comments were unacceptable, and it’s right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate affect.”
The spokesman added that Prince William thinks “the course of action taken is correct”.
Among the VIPs at the event were Queen Rania of Jordan, Queen Mathilde of Belgian, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and the Countess of Wessex, all of whom have made the issue part of their public work.
Lady Susan served as the Queen’s lady-in-waiting for 60 years.
