A black British charity leader who was repeatedly asked where she was “truly” from at a royal reception described the incident as “abuse”.
Tuesday at Buckingham Palace, Lady Susan Hussey, Prince William’s godmother, questioned Ngozi Fulani about her past. Since then, the lady-in-waiting of the late Queen has quit.
Ms. Fulani compared her discussion with Lady Hussey, age 83, to “an interrogation.”
The palace termed the statements as “inappropriate and profoundly unfortunate.”
A representative for Prince William stated, “Racism has no place in our society.” The event has cast a shadow over the Prince and Princess of Wales’ trip to the United States to present his Earth shot Prize prizes.
Ms. Fulani, who represented the domestic abuse charity Sistah Space, was a guest at the reception when she recalled Lady Hussey brushing her hair to view her name card and then repeatedly asking her to clarify where she was from.
Ms. Fulani said: “Similar to an interrogation. I suppose the only way I can explain it is that she is adamant: “Where are you from?” Where do your people originate?”
Ms. Fulani further refuted claims that Lady Hussey’s words were in any way related to her age.
“Let’s clarify what this is. I’ve heard so many ideas that it’s because of her age and similar things, and I consider it to be a form of ageism.
“How can this occur in a setting that is meant to protect women from all forms of violence?
Although it is not physical assault, it is nevertheless a form of abuse.
Ms. Fulani continued: “If you invite people to an event against domestic abuse and diverse demographic groups are present, I do not understand why my nationality would be relevant.
“I am quite proud of my African ancestry. This reminds me of the Windrush incident. You are attempting to make me feel unwanted in my environment.”
She stated that she felt like she had to “renounce my British citizenship”
Rishi Sunak stated that the United Kingdom must “continuously learn the lessons” from racist atrocities. The prime minister stated that it “would not be proper” for him to remark on the event in the palace, adding that “they have accepted what occurred and apologized for it.”
Mr. Sunak, when asked about his own experiences, stated that while he had encountered racism, the country had made “extraordinary progress.”
“However, the task is never complete,” he continued. “Therefore, whenever we see it, we must confront it, and it’s only right that we continue to learn the lessons and work toward a better future.”
Lady Hussey was a vital member of the Royal Household for decades, having joined the Royal Family in 1960, the same year that the Queen gave birth to Prince Andrew, and eventually becoming the Queen’s longest-serving lady-in-waiting.
Last Monday, Buckingham Palace announced that Lady Hussey and the other previous ladies-in-waiting would henceforth be known as “women of the household” – a position that entails assisting with the hosting of events at the palace.
Ms. Fulani, when asked if she wanted Lady Hussey to retire or if she would have been satisfied with an apology, stated: “I would have preferred it not to have occurred…
“I must keep the spotlight where it belongs, which is on ending violence against women and girls.”
Mandu Reid, the head of the Women’s Equality Party and an eyewitness to the meeting, told that Lady Hussey’s inquiries were “offensive, racist, and unwelcoming.”
Nazir Afzal, a former top prosecutor of the Criminal Prosecution Service (CPS) who was also present at the reception, stated that Lady Hussey had inquired about his origin and “seemed to accept my explanation, which was Manchester at the time.”
The current chancellor of the University of Manchester stated, “Racism is always present.”
Wednesday’s statement from Buckingham Palace stated: “We take this event extremely seriously and have launched an immediate investigation to determine its full scope.
“In this situation, terrible and very unpleasant remarks were spoken. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani regarding this situation and, if she so chooses, invite her to discuss all aspects of her experience in person.
In the meanwhile, the affected individual would want to express her deepest regrets for the harm caused and has resigned from her honorary position with immediate effect.
All members of the household are reminded that they are obligated to uphold diversity and inclusion rules at all times.
A spokesman for Prince William stated, “Racism has no place in our society,” adding, “The comments were abhorrent, and it is proper that the individual resigned immediately.”
Later, Ms. Fulani stated: “Now, aggression may be verbal as well as physical.
“That felt violent to me, and when you put your hand in my hair as if I’m not even a person – you can do and say whatever you want – I don’t want to be in your presence.”
Ms. Fulani stated in an interview with ITV’s Good Morning Britain that Buckingham Palace had not contacted her about the event, but she would accept a request to discuss it with them.
She stated, “You see, we’re all about positive outcomes, so I believe a dialogue should be held.”
Ms. Fulani was one of 300 attendees at the event where the Queen Consort, Camilla, warned of a “global pandemic of violence against women.” Ms. Fulani represented her organization, which aids women of African and Caribbean origin in the UK who have experienced domestic and sexual abuse.
