By John Ikani
Buckingham Palace on Wednesday confirmed that the late Queen Elizabeth II’s lady-in-waiting and Prince William’s godmother Lady Susan Hussey has stepped down from her role amid allegations of Racism.
Hussey’s resignation came after a black guest at a violence against women and girls reception on Tuesday hosted by the Queen Consort Camila was left feeling traumatised and violated after she (Hussey) questioned her repeatedly about where she “really came from.
Ngozi Fulani, the founder of the charity Sistah Space, claimed Susan Hussey moved her hair to reveal her name badge and persistently questioned her over where her “people” came from, despite having been told she was a British national born and bred in the UK.
Ms Fulani claimed she had her ethnicity closely questioned by Ms Hussey. An investigation has been launched into the claims.
A royal source confirmed Hussey has departed from her honorary role in the household.
Ms Fulani claims Hussey asked her: “Where do you come from?” and went on to repeatedly follow the same line of questioning.
In a conversation that followed, the member of the household allegedly continued to ask “what nationality are you?”, “where do your people come from?” and “what part of Africa are you from?”
She also allegedly said: “I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from. When did you first come here?”
Eventually, Ms Fulani says she replied: “I am a British national, my parents came here in the 1950s,” to which Hussey responded: “Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end, you’re Caribbean.”
Ms Fulani said she then corrected the aristocrat with: “No, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.”
The incident was witnessed by two other women: Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women’s Equality party, who is of mixed heritage, and another black female charity representative.
The Prince of Wales, who is Lady Hussey’s godson, said the comments were unacceptable and that “racism has no place in our society” and “it’s right that the individual concerned has stepped down.”
Hussey, 83, the widow of the former BBC chair Sir Marmaduke Hussey, had recently been appointed one of the ladies of the household. She is a close friend of the king. Her daughter, Katherine Brooke, has just been appointed as one of Camilla’s new queen’s companions.
Buckingham Palace described the remarks as “unacceptable and deeply regrettable”. Hussey has offered her “profound apologies” for hurt caused and resigned her honorary position with immediate effect.
