The late Queen’s lady in waiting has resigned and apologised after “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments” were made at the Queen Consort’s reception, the Palace has said.
Ngozi Fulani, a prominent black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse and chief executive of Sistah Space, revealed how she was repeatedly asked by a member of the Buckingham Palace household at the Queen Consort’s reception where she “really came from”.
She described the conversation as a “violation” and said the experience at Camilla’s major engagement on violence against women on Tuesday will “never leave me”.
A source confirmed to the PA news agency 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 godmother to the Prince of Wales.
William is understood to agree it was right for Lady Susan to resign, with a Kensington Palace spokesman telling reporters in 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, with the couple due to arrive at lunchtime local time on Wednesday for their first overseas visit since the Queen’s death.
Ms Fulani said Lady Susan challenged her when she said her charity was based in Hackney, saying: “No, what part of Africa are YOU from?”
She detailed the full conversation, which she said happened ten minutes after she arrived, on Twitter, which included the exchange: “Where are you from?”
She named the member of the palace household only as Lady SH, but the Palace refused to confirm who it was.
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.
Charles, who acceded to the throne less than three months ago, and Camilla have been made aware of the situation, the Palace said.
Buckingham Palace said it had “investigated immediately” and have invited Ms Fulani to “discuss all elements of her experience in person”.
In a statement the palace 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.”
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