UK royal aide steps down after racist comments

A member of the British royal family’s household has left her role after making “unacceptable and deeply regrettable” comments about race and nationality to a woman at a grand reception at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson said.

Ngozi Fulani, who was born in Britain and works for a domestic abuse support group, tweeted that the royal aide had repeatedly asked her: “What part of Africa are you from?” at an event hosted by King Charles’ wife Camilla, the queen consort, on Tuesday.

“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,” a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday.

The spokesperson said the individual concerned, referred to by Fulani as Lady SH, wanted to apologise for the hurt caused and had stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

Neither Fulani nor the palace identified the aide. British media said it was Lady Susan Hussey, the 83-year-old godmother of Charles’ son and heir Prince William.

William’s spokesperson said: “The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual stepped aside with immediate effect.”

The incident is the latest to embroil the royal family in allegations of racism, after Charles’ younger son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan made accusations in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

Meghan said one unnamed member of the family had asked, before their son Archie was born, how dark his skin might be. — Reuters