‘Racism has no place in our society’: Prince William Slams Godmother Lady Susan Hussey for Racist Insult to Guest – “What part of Africa are you from?”
On Wednesday, Buckingham Palace announced that a member of its household had resigned following “unacceptable and regrettable remarks” made during a reception hosted by Camilla, the Queen Consort, to bring attention to the issue of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. The Royal source confirmed that Lady Susan Hussey, who has been close to Camilla and Prince William’s godmother, apologized and resigned from her royal duties over racial discrimination.
Over 60 years, the 83-year-old served as Queen Elizabeth II’s lady-in-waiting. She assisted Queen Elizabeth II in her daily activities and hasn’t been broadly reported on, but she was sometimes seen at high-profile royal engagements in the background.
Prince William Condemns Lady Susan Hussey’s Racist Remarks
It has been reported that the late queen’s lady-in-waiting and Prince William’s godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, 83, has apologized and resigned after a black guest at a reception hosted by the queen consort was left feeling traumatized and violated after the lady-in-waiting repeatedly asked the female guest where she “genuinely came from.”
The founder of the charity Sistah Space, Ngozi Fulani, claimed lady Susan Hussey moved her hair to reveal her name badge and repeatedly asked her where her “people” came from, even after being told that her nationality is British.
As a result, a spokesperson for Prince of Wales, Lady Hussey’s godson, has said that the comments are unacceptable and continued,
“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.”
In response to the racial remarks, Buckingham Palace described them as “unacceptable and deeply regrettable.” Prince of Wales’ godmother has offered her “profound apologies” for any hurt caused and resigned from her honorary position immediately.
The incident came following a long discussion concerning race and diversity within the royal family, which included Meghan Markle‘s famous description of “concerns” about how dark her unborn child’s skin might turn out to be.
Lady Susan Hussey’s Behavior Towards Ngozi Fulani: What Actually Happened?
King’s close friend and the widow of the former BBC chair Sir Marmaduke Hussey, Lady Susan Hussey, was recently appointed to the royal household as one of the ladies. Her daughter Katherine Brooke has recently been appointed Camilla’s new queen’s companion.
Ngozi Fulani, a charity founder, shared details of an emotional exchange during Tuesday’s reception, which she described in detail as she was questioned about her background at the charity event at the palace. The comments made by Prince of Wales’ godmother left Fulani “totally stunned.”
Two other women saw the encounter at the violence against women and girls reception on Tuesday: Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality party, and another black woman representing a charity.
Afterward, Fulani tweeted,
“Mixed feelings about yesterday’s visit to Buckingham Palace. 10 mins after arriving, a member of staff, Lady SH, approached me, and moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur. Thanks @ManduReid & @SuzanneEJacob for support”
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 conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur.
Thanks @ManduReid & @SuzanneEJacob for support🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/OUbQKlabyq— Sistah Space (@Sistah_Space) November 30, 2022
Then she described what happened during her conversation with Prince William’s godmother:
Lady Susan Hussey: Where are you from?
Fulani: Sistah Space.
Hussey: No, where do you come from?
Fulani: We’re based in Hackney.
Hussey: No, what part of Africa are YOU from?
Fulani: I don’t know, they didn’t leave any records.
Hussey: Well, you must know where you’re from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?
Fulani: Here, UK
Hussey: NO, but what Nationality are you?
Fulani: I am born here and am British.
Hussey: No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?
Fulani: ‘My people’, lady, what is this?
Hussey: 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?
Fulani: Lady! I am a British national, my parents came here in the 50s when…
Hussey: Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end, you’re Caribbean!
Fulani: No, Lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent, and British nationality.
Hussey: Oh, so you’re from …”
Immediately after the incident, Buckingham Palace took this incident seriously and investigated it to establish the full facts. They contacted Ngozi Fulani on this matter and invited her to discuss all aspects of her experience in person. However, lady Susan Hussey resigned from her duties with immediate effect after apologizing.
At the Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday, Ngozi Fulani was representing Sistah Space, a London-based charity that supports African and Caribbean women who have been domestically and sexually abused.
Source: The Guardian
