Royal aide quits after making ‘unacceptable’ race comments at palace

The Bobster

Senior News Editor since 2004



Royal aide quits after making ‘unacceptable’ race comments at palace​



By
Olivia Land


November 30, 2022 10:51am
Updated















A senior royal aide resigned Wednesday after making “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” to a black domestic abuse campaigner during a Buckingham Palace event.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, made the eyebrow-raising remarks to Ngozi Fulani, 61, during an event Tuesday to raise awareness about violence for women, according to the Sunday Times’ royal editor Roya Nikkah.
Fulani, who was attending the event on behalf of the charity Sistah Space, said Hussey — who was made lady of the household by King Charles III — approached her and questioned her about where she came from.
When she replied she was from Hackney, the royal aide allegedly continued to pester her, asking, “No, but what nationality are you?”
“I am born here and am British,” Fulani said she insisted again, recounting the conversation on Twitter.
But Hussey continued to probe, Fulani said, asking, “No but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”
FILE -  Charity leader Ngozi Fulani, centre left, attends a reception held by Britain's Camilla, the Queen Consort to raise awareness of violence against women and girls as part of the UN 16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, in Buckingham PalaceNgozi Fulani was attending a reception held by Camilla to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.AP
“Lady! I’m a British national, my parents came here in the ’50s when…,” Fulani said she replied, before Hussey interjected, “Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end, you’re Caribbean.”
“No, lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality,” Fulani said she shot back.
Hussey’s resignation came a few hours after Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, a London nonprofit that provides domestic abuse services to women of African and Caribbean heritage, tweeted the alleged conversation and said she had “mixed feelings” about the event.

The activist only identified the staffer as “Lady SH” in the social media post.
Sistah Space later reaffirmed that it did not wish to “name and shame” the staffer in question, but the Times confirmed it was Hussey.
The tense exchange had already quickly gained attention on social media, with ITV News royal editor Chris Ship retweeting the account.
Lady Susan Hussey, right, pictured alongside King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, in June 2022.Lady Susan Hussey (right), pictured alongside King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales, in June 2022.Getty Images
“Some very serious questions for Buckingham Palace today,” he wrote.
Ship followed up his initial tweet to note that while Fulani said the event was “good” and that she met “awesome people,” it was marred by the “insulting conversation.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson acknowledged to the Times that “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” had been made.
Camilla, the Queen Consort, gives an impassioned speech against domestic violence on Tuesday.Camilla, the Queen Consort, gives an impassioned speech against domestic violence on Tuesday.ZUMAPRESS.com
“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,” the spokesperson told the outlet.
“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.”
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for a comment.
But the exchange could overshadow Prince William’s arrival today in Boston, where he is expected to present the Earthshot Prize alongside wife Kate Middleton on Friday.
Lady Susan Hussey, standing center, with her godson Prince William and members of the extended Royal Family on the occasion of the latter's confirmation in 1997.Lady Susan Hussey (standing center) with her godson Prince William and members of the extended royal family on the occasion of the latter’s confirmation in 1997.pool via Reuters
Ahead of the royal couple’s touchdown in the States this afternoon, a spokesperson from Kensington Palace addressed the comments.
“This is a matter for Buckingham Palace but as the Prince of Wales’ spokesperson I appreciate you’re all here and understand you’ll want to ask about it. So let me address it head-on,” the spokesperson said.
“I was really disappointed to hear about the guest’s experience at Buckingham Palace last night. Obviously, I wasn’t there, but racism has no place in our society. The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect.”
Prince William, who is currently on a plane to Boston, is reportedly aware of the statement and will not be commenting further.
Also known as Baroness Hussey of North Bradley, Hussey, 83, is a longtime member of the royal household.
As “woman of the bedchamber” to the late Queen Elizabeth II, she accompanied the elderly royal to the funeral of Prince Philip in 2021.
Queen Consort Camilla with Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Queen Rania of Jordan.Queen Consort Camilla with Queen Mathilde of Belgium, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and Queen Rania of Jordan.Royal Hashemite Court / Avalon
She made headlines earlier this year when journalist Tom Bower’s book “Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors” claimed she predicted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relationship would “all end in tears.”
Hussey is also a godmother of Prince William, now the Prince of Wales.
Fulani’s experience marks the latest racial blunder by the royal family — following Harry and Meghan’s explosive Oprah Winfrey sit-down in 2021.
During the interview, Meghan, who is biracial, said she faced regular racist abuse from both the royal family and the press.
Among the bombshell claims was that an unnamed “senior royal” questioned the skin color of their then-unborn first child, Archie.
 
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