Heritage Quiz: Apology Accepted – Charity Boss, Ngozi Fulani Tells Lady Hussey
- Buckingham Palace urges understanding, regrets fuss
Amid social media criticisms, the late Queen Elizabeth’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey has finally met black Charity boss, Ngozi Fulani to apologise in person for repeatedly asking her at Palace reception: ‘What part of Africa are you from?’
After Buckingham Palace was hit by racism accusations, Lady Hussey formally met Ms Fulani, founder of the charity, Sistah Space, following a race row that developed after asking her where she “really came from” during a recent Buckingham Palace event.
Expressing shock at her treatment by Lady Susan, Ms Funali said she had suffered “horrific abuse” on social media in the aftermath of the embarrassing engagement, which took place at a royal reception.
The incident has now forced the 83-year-old lady, who served the late Queen for six decades, to step down from her honorary role ‘with immediate effect’. Lady Hussey is quitting her position following a furious public outcry after Miss Fulani tweeted about her experience at the event last month.
The scandal prompted an intervention from Prince William, with the heir to the throne criticising his godmother’s ‘unacceptable comments’ and saying ‘racism has no place in our society’.
On Friday, Buckingham Palace revealed in a statement that the former aide had now met the activist to express her ‘sincere apologies’, adding that the King and Queen Consort were ‘pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome’.
The statement by Buckingham Palace indicated that both women met on Friday morning at the Palace, saying; “At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.
“Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.
“Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.”
The King and Queen Consort and other members of the royal family have been kept informed of the development and are “pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome,” the statement added.
Buckingham Palace said the royal households, which already have “inclusion and diversity” initiatives, would begin an “enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space“, an organisation providing support for African and Caribbean heritage women affected by abuse.
Lady Susan, the Prince of Wales’s 83-year-old godmother, resigned from the royal household and apologised after she repeatedly challenged Ms Fulani, when she said she was British, at Camilla’s reception highlighting violence against women and girls a few weeks ago.
