Race row hits Palace as Queen aide quits
The late Queen’s lady-inwaiting has resigned and apologised after she made “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” by asking a prominent black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse where she “really came from”.
Sources confirmed the remarks to Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, were made by Lady Susan Hussey.
The late Queen’s lady in waiting has resigned and apologised after she made “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” by asking a prominent black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse where she “really came from”.
Buckingham Palace said it took the incident, at the Queen Con sort’ s reception on violence against women on Tuesday, “extremely seriously” and had investigated immediately.
Sources confirmed that the person who made the remarks was Lady Susan Hussey, who served as Elizabeth II’S lady in waiting for more than 60 years and is a god mother to the prince of Wales.
William is understood to agree it was right for Lady Susan to re sign, with a kensington Palace spokesman telling reporter sin the us ahead of the Waleses’ trip to Boston: “Racism has no place in our society.
“The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect.”
The Kensington Palace spokesman said he spoke to William before he boarded his commercial flight to the US with the princess.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, detailed the conversation on Twitter, describing it as a“violation” and said the experience will “never leave me”.
She named the member of the palace household only as Lady SH.
Lady susan ,83, who was invited to and on duty at the reception, has now stepped down from her honorary role as one of three Ladies of the Household, to which she was newly appointed to help the King at formal occasions.
Ms Fulani said she was challenged when she said her charity was based in Hackney, with “Lady SH” saying: “No, what part of Africa are YOU from?”
The Palace said in a statement: “In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and areinviting 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.”
Ms Fulani, who founded Sistah Space in 2015 to provide support for African and Caribbean heritage women affected by abuse, wrote: “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 conversationbelow took place. the rest of the event is a blur.”
The matter raises serious concerns for the Palace, where an unnamed royal was accused last year by the Duchess of Sussex of racism against her unborn son Archie.
Meghan said during her Oprah interview that a royal expressed concerns with Harry about how dark Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born. The Queen issued a statement saying that the issues raised would be dealt with privately as a family, but that“some recollections may vary”.