Lady Susan Hussey, a Palace aide and lady-in-waiting, has resigned after harassing a Black guest with a racist line of questioning.
Ngozi Fulani, the founder of charity Sistah Space, attended a reception at Buckingham Palace this week, and detailed the day's events on Twitter.
"Mixed feelings about yesterday's visit to Buckingham Palace," she wrote. "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"
The transcript Fulani shared reads as follows:
Aide: Where are you from?
Me: Sistah Space.
Aide: No, where do you come from?
Me: We’re based in Hackney.
Aide: No, what part of Africa are YOU from?
Me: I don’t know, they didn’t leave any records.
Aide: Well, you must know where you’re from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?
Me: Here, UK
Aide: NO, but what Nationality are you?
Me: I am born here and am British.
Aide: No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?
Me: 'My people', lady, what is this?
Aide: 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?
Me: Lady! I am a British national, my parents came here in the 50s when…
Aide: Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end, you’re Caribbean!
Me: No Lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.
Aide: Oh, so you’re from…
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/OUbQKlabyqNovember 30, 2022
Hussey was previously described by Tatler as Queen Elizabeth II's "most loyal lady-in-waiting." After Elizabeth's death Hussey continued working for the palace as an aide to Camilla, the Queen Consort.
Express further reports that Hussey is one of Prince William's godparents.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Buckingham Palace responded within hours of Fulani's original post. "We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full facts. In this instance unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and we are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes," they said (via the Guardian).
"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."
Following the incident, royal expert Omid Scobie tweeted, "A speedy response from the Palace, who have a history of silence or denial for incidents regarding race. Lessons finally learned? Or is this just not wanting anything to overshadow the Wales' Boston visit. Arriving in the US amidst another race scandal wouldn't be the best start."
Prince William and Princess Kate arrive in Boston today.
A speedy response from the Palace, who have a history of silence or denial for incidents regarding race. Lessons finally learned? Or is this just not wanting anything to overshadow the Wales' Boston visit. Arriving in the US amidst another race scandal wouldn't be the best start.November 30, 2022
Activist and royal commentator Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu expressed her anger at the events. "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry told you of racism in Royal Family & household. But she was vilified, abused & violated for speaking the truth," Dr. Mos-Shogbamimu tweeted.
"Ngozi Fulani’s experience with Lady Susan Hussey wasn’t isolated, one off or a 'bad apple' at Buckingham Palace.
"You can’t reform this."
During Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's March 2021 Oprah interview, the couple claimed that a member of the Royal Family had speculated about Archie's skin color while the duchess was pregnant. This prompted Prince William to say the royals are "very much not a racist family."
These latest events caused #AbolishTheMonarchy and #RacistRoyalFamily to trend on Twitter in the U.K.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Olivia Rodrigo Finds the Perfect Spring Dresses at Reformation
She's worn the brand twice in the past week.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Curiously, Just as Meghan Markle Sends Samples of Her New Strawberry Jam Out, the Buckingham Palace Shop Starts Promoting Its Own Strawberry Jam on Social Media
The clip promoting the Buckingham Palace Shop’s product—we cannot make this up—is set to Mozart’s “Dissonance Quartet.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Zendaya's Latest 'Challengers' Serve Is Nearly a Century Old
The 1930s-era dress may have been pulled months ago.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Curiously, Just as Meghan Markle Sends Samples of Her New Strawberry Jam Out, the Buckingham Palace Shop Starts Promoting Its Own Strawberry Jam on Social Media
The clip promoting the Buckingham Palace Shop’s product—we cannot make this up—is set to Mozart’s “Dissonance Quartet.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Are Prioritizing Their Children's "Happiness" Amid Kate's Diagnosis, Source Says
The little ones come first.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Meghan Markle’s New Podcast with Lemonada Media Is Reportedly Delayed “Until Next Year At the Earliest”
There’s a reason for the holdup.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Louis Turns 6—See the Adorable New Photo
Princess Kate was behind the lens.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Melissa McCarthy Defends Meghan Markle From Critics Who Are "Threatened" by Her
McCarthy once starred in the duchess' 40th birthday video.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Will Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Appear in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Two New Netflix Series?
Filming for both shows—about polo and cookery—began this month.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William Makes Moving Promise About Princess Kate at His First Public Appearance Since She Revealed She Has Cancer
He also revealed his youngest child Prince Louis’ favorite sport while at the engagement.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
As He Prepares to Return to Royal Duty Tomorrow After Nearly A Month Away, Prince William Is Struggling with “Immense” Pressure, Reports Say
“There’s a lot at stake, and he does need support.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published