Kensington Palace, on Wednesday, condemned the unacceptable comments made by Prince William’s godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, which has sparked controversy on social media.
Prince William’s godmother, a member of the United Kingdom’s royal family staff, resigned after making racist comments to a British charity boss at a reception held by King Charles III’s wife, Queen Consort Camilla.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, a former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen, quit after she allegedly refused to believe a black domestic abuse campaigner was British and asked her: “What part of Africa are you from?”
A spokesman for the Prince of Wales said it was “really disappointing” to hear about the experiences of a guest at Buckingham Palace, adding: “Racism has no place in our society, these comments were unacceptable and it’s right that the individual concerned has stepped down”.
The resignation is humiliating for Camilla and a disaster for Lady Hussey’s godson, Prince William, who lands in the United States today with the Princess of Wales for a three-day tour now at risk of being overshadowed by the race row.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Wednesday that “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made” by the staff member, who later apologized and stepped aside.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, said she was asked by the Buckingham Palace household member where she “really came from” during the event on Tuesday.
Fulani, who is Black, works as an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and described the exchange with “Lady SH” as a “violation”.
She told the Mirror: “It was prolonged racism. It was like an interrogation. This wasn’t just a few seconds, it was concerted over several minutes. It felt, as three black women, that we were trespassers, that we were not welcome or accepted as British.”
She wrote on Twitter that the woman “approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge” and then insisted on asking her what part of Africa she was from.
Despite Fulani saying she is British, the staff member said: “I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from.”
Fulani said the incident left her with “mixed feelings” about visiting the palace and that afterwards, the “rest of the event was a blur”.
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, who was stood next to Ms. Fulani and witnessed the exchange, said she was “stunned”.
She told Sky News: “It was really uncomfortable. If Ngozi was a white woman there is no way that line of questioning would have taken place. It’s not what you expect.
“We weren’t gate crashers, but we were made to feel almost like trespassers.”
Asked if she was reassured by Lady Hussey stepping down and apologizing, she said no – and that the royals need to “step up” and acknowledge that “institutional racism is part of the culture”.
The conversation Fuulani had with Lady Susan Hussey read in full:
Lady SH: “Where are you from?”
Ms Fulani: “Sistah Space.”
Lady SH: “No where do you come from?
Ms Fulani: “We’re based in Hackney.”
Lady SH: “No, what part of Africa are YOU from?”
Ms Fulani: “I don’t know, they didn’t leave any records.”
Lady SH: “Well, you must know where you’re from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?”
Ms Fulani: “Here, UK”
Lady SH: “No, but what Nationality are you?”
Ms Fulani: “I am born here and am British.”
Lady SH: “No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”
Ms Fulani: “‘My people’, lady, what is this?”
Lady SH: “Oh I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from. When did you first come here?”
Ms Fulani: “Lady! I am a British national, my parents came here in the 50’s when…”
Lady SH: “Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end, you’re Caribbean!”
Ms Fulani: “No lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.”
Lady SH: “Oh so you’re from….”
The palace said in a statement: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.”
The palace added it had reached out to the charity boss and was inviting her to discuss her experience in person.
“In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honourary 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.”
Sistah Space is a support organization based in east London for women of African and Caribbean heritage affected by abuse.
Domestic abuse is one of the key causes championed by Queen Consort Camilla since she joined the royal family.