Prince William's Godmother Lady Susan Hussey Resigns From Buckingham Palace After Race Row

Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey has resigned from her role at Buckingham Palace after making what the Palace has described as 'unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments' at a reception hosted by Camilla, Queen Consort.

On Tuesday, Ngozi Fulani - the founding CEO of Britain's leading domestic abuse charity for Black women Sistah Space - was invited to the Violence Against Women and Girls reception, hosted by the Queen Consort Camilla.

Following the reception she spoke of her trauma on Twitter after being asked racially 'insulting' questions regarding her heritage during the event by Prince William's godmother, Hussey.

Taking to Twitter, Fulani detailed her conversation with Hussey, who was also Queen Elizabeth II's aide for more than 60 years, which she described as a 'violation' and said would 'never' leave her.

During the conversation, Fulani claimed Hussey repeatedly asked her where she was from, which part of Africa she was from, her nationality, and where her 'people come from', despite having being told she was a British national.

'10 mins after arriving, a member of staff, Lady SH, approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur,' Fulani claimed in a Twitter thread, which has been widely shared by several news publications.

'Standing there in a room packed with people while this violation was taking place was so strange, especially as the event was about violence against women,' added Fulani.

'That feeling of not knowing what to do, will never leave me. Almost alone in a room full of advocates. There was nobody to report it to. I couldn’t report it to the Queen Consort, plus it was such a shock to me and the other two women, that we were stunned to temporary silence. I just stood at the edge of the room, smiled and engaged briefly with who spoke to me until I could leave.'

Hussey has since stepped down from her honorary role as one of three ladies-in-waiting at the Palace. The Palace has said King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort have been alerted to the situation.

In response, the Palace - which has launched an immediate investigation - has said in a statement: '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.

'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.'

The Palace said the aide concerned has offered her 'profound apologies' for hurt caused and has resigned from her honorary position.

Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Mandu Reid, who was beside Fulani during the event and witnessed the encounter, said they were treated like trespassers.

She said: 'We really felt "oh, OK, we’re being treated almost like trespassers in this place. We’re not being treated as if we belong, we’re not being embraced as if we are British."'

Describing the conversation as 'grim' and like an interrogation, Reid added that Hussey 'was really persistent. She didn’t take Ngozi’s answers at face value'.

Safe Lives chief executive Suzanne Jacob also tweeted that it was 'a horrible thing to happen, and in a space that should have been nothing but love and celebration', and that she'll be sharing her concerns with the team who organised for them to be there.

Fulani thanked Reid and Jacob for their support on the day.

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