Lady Susan Hussey quit after a black domestic violence activist reported that the former Queen’s lady-in-waiting repeatedly asked her where she was “truly from.”
As a result of the racial controversy enveloping Buckingham Palace, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated, “We must fight prejudice wherever we see it.”
During a reception at the palace last week, Prince William’s godmother allegedly repeatedly asked a black domestic violence activist from London where she “truly came from.”
Although he refused to comment directly on the incident or anything related to the monarchy, Mr. Sunak stated that he has experienced racism but does not believe that what he encountered as a child would occur today; there is still work to be done.
He stated, “Our country has made tremendous strides in combating racism.”
“However, the work is never done. Therefore, anytime we encounter it, we must tackle it.
“It is proper that we continue to learn lessons and progress toward a brighter future.”
Lady Susan Hussey, who served as the Queen’s lady-in-waiting for nearly six decades, resigned from her position in the royal household and apologized for the incident at an event hosted by the Queen Consort on Tuesday.
Ngozi Fulani, the chief executive officer of the nonprofit organization Sistah Space, reported that Lady Hussey moved her hair to view her name badge and asked her “what area of Africa” she was from after she repeatedly stated that she was British.
The executive director of the organization told that she felt mistreated, verbally attacked, and “trapped” when Lady Hussey repeatedly asked her where she was “truly from.”
Ms. Fulani referred to the exchange with Lady Hussey, who became a lady of the household after the death of the Queen, as a “violation” and alleged that Lady Hussey was abusing her when she moved her hair.
“I was not answering that she wanted me to give. Thus, we were unable to proceed,” Ms. Fulani stated.
“When she responded, ‘I knew you’d get there in the end,’ I realized you were determined to show that I had no right to British citizenship.
“This reminds me of the Windrush issue, when 50 or 60 years later, individuals who were born here, worked here, or, you know, have contributed so much might be expelled.
“Nowadays, abuse need not be physical. However, if you touch my hair without my permission, I consider it abuse.
“When you verbally attack me, because that is what I see it to be – you are adamant that the response I gave you is not the one you want to hear – you do not recognize me as British.
“Until I acknowledge that I am not, you will not cease. What do I do? What do I do in this situation? So I become mute. And I wished for her departure, which she eventually did.”
Prince William, who is on a three-day vacation to the United States with his wife Kate, is believed to concur with Lady Hussey’s decision to immediately step aside from her honorary position as Lady of the Household.
A Kensington Palace official informed reporters in the United States before the Prince and Princess of Wales’ trip to Boston that Lady Hussey’s remarks were “inappropriate” and that “racism has no place in our society.”
Later, during an NBA game William and Kate attended, some members of the audience booed them, and at an Earth shot Prize event, they heard a black preacher speak on race equality.
