Member of British royal household resigns over race comment
LONDON — An honorary member of the Buckingham Palace household has resigned after repeatedly asking a Black woman who runs a charity for survivors of domestic abuse what country she “came from,” despite the woman’s insistence she was a British citizen.
The conversation was detailed on Twitter by Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, an East London refuge that provides support for women of African and Caribbean heritage.
The incident took place at a reception hosted by Camilla, the Queen Consort, for women working to fight domestic violence.
Fulani said that when she told a royal household member she was from East London, she was asked: “No, what part of Africa are you from?”
The palace said it took the incident extremely seriously and investigated the “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments.’’
Britain’s Press Assn. and a number of other media outlets in Britain identified the woman who made the remarks as Lady Susan Hussey, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s lady in waiting for more than 60 years. She is also a godmother to the Prince of Wales.
Prince William says the British royals are ‘very much not a racist family’ following accusations of racism in Meghan and Harry’s interview.
Fulani named the member of the palace household only as Lady SH. Buckingham Palace declined comment on the identity of the individual.
The incident is certain to spark concern at the palace following allegations of racism by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who is married to Prince Harry. Meghan, who is biracial, said last year that a member of the royal household asked her what color her baby’s skin would be when she was pregnant with her and Harry’s first child.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
