PALACE 'RACE' ROW
Queen’s pal Lady Susan Hussey resigns after asking black guest ‘where are you really from’ at Camilla’s Palace reception
A ROYAL staff member has today resigned after allegedly asking a black guest at Buckingham Palace: "Where are you really from?"
Lady Susan Hussey, a pal of the late Queen, is said to have quizzed Ngozi Fulani over her nationality at a reception yesterday.
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Ngozi, who was born in Britain, attended the event on behalf of domestic abuse charity Sistah Space to mark the UN's 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
She said she was horrified when Lady Susan approached her, moved her hair to see her name badge and asked: "Where do your people come from?"
The employee, and Prince William's godmother, repeatedly questioned what part of Africa she was from and when she first came to the UK, Ngozi claims.
She said the experience, just 10 minutes after arriving, left her "insulted" with "mixed feelings" about the royal visit.
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Buckingham Palace this morning confirmed the staffer involved had stepped aside after an investigation.
A spokesperson said: "We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.
"In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.
"We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
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"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."
Ngozi has slammed the Palace ordeal and said she wanted to leave after being made to feel "very unwelcome".
She told the : "[What she did] was racism. Through and through. It was prolonged racism.
"The fact that it was just done in the open in front of people, on a day when we should be working towards violence against women."
The campaigner said she felt "attacked" but did not wish anyone to lose their job.
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women's Equality Party, who was also there at the time, told The Sun that Lady Susan's questions had made her and Ngozi feel like “trespassers” rather than guests.
The politician, the first person of colour to lead a UK political party, said she didn't feel welcome after the encounter despite being invited.
"It was very uncomfortable," she added.
"This reception was there to celebrate people who had been working to end violence against women and girls and yet we were on the receiving end of an interrogation about what our heritage was.
"At an event like that to be on the receiving end of such offensive, racist, unwelcoming treatment really paints a bad picture.
"It was meant to be an opportunity to celebrate and honour people who had been working on this really important subject and elevate the importance of the subject.
"The encounter we had undermined that."
Alleged 'racist' Buckingham Palace encounter
Lady Susan Hussey: Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Sistah Space.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, where do you come from?
Ngozi Fulani: We're based in Hackney.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, what part of Africa are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: I don't know, they didn't leave any records.
Lady Susan Hussey: Well, you must know where you're from. I spent time in France. Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Here, the UK.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but what nationality are you?
Ngozi Fulani: I was born here and am British.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but where do you really come from? Where do your people come from?
Ngozi Fulani: 'My people?' Lady, what is this?
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I can see I'm going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from. When did you first come here?
Ngozi Fulani: Lady! I am a British national. My parents came here in the 50s.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I knew we'd get there in the end. You're Caribbean.
Ngozi Fulani: No lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, so you're from...
The claims come 18 months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stunned the world alleging a member of the royal family made racist remarks about the colour of their son Archie's skin.
The shock new race row threatens to overshadow the event in which the Queen Consort delivered a powerful speech calling to tackle domestic violence - a cause she has been campaigning for years
Camilla asked assembled guests to use the "precious opportunity to speak up and galvanise action" to halt rape and domestic abuse.
Joined by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Denmark and the Countess of Wessex in the Picture Gallery of the palace, she set out her hopes for a future without gender-based violence.
The reception included around 300 guests - campaigners, politicians and celebrity ambassadors - to draw attention to the ongoing crisis.
Guests of honour included Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of the Ukraine, there to boost awareness about the scourge of sexual violence in conflict, experienced in her own country, she said, by the rape of women and girls at the hands of invading Russian soldiers.
Lady Susan served as the Queen's lady-in-waiting for 60 years.
She was officially known as Woman of the Bedchamber for Queen Elizabeth II.
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The 83-year-old attended the state funeral and joined close family and friends when the coffin arrived at Westminster Hall to lie-in-state.
The King promoted her to oversee formal palace events such as Monday's palace bash.
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