Lady-in-waiting Susan Hussey resigns over racist ‘abuse’ row
Palace aide repeatedly asked where black charity boss was ‘really’ from during royal reception

A black British charity founder has said being “interrogated” about where she was “really” from during a royal reception was a form of “abuse”.
The late Queen’s lady-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, has resigned amid uproar over her questions to Ngozi Fulani during a domestic abuse charity event at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Fulani told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that “it was like an interrogation”, and asked “how this can happen in a space that's supposed to protect women against all kinds of violence”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Although it’s not physical violence, it is an abuse,” added Fulani, boss of the Sistah Space charity.
Hussey’s “racist remarks” will “take an already bruised palace two steps back”, said Caroline Davies in The Guardian. “This is already an acutely sensitive time for the House of Windsor,” wrote Davies, amid reports that the “long-awaited” Netflix documentary on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will air next week.
As a palace aide, 83-year-old Hussey – who is a godmother to Prince William – was said to have been tasked with helping Meghan Markle “settle into royal life prior to and after her wedding to Prince Harry”, said The Independent. In his book Revenge: Meghan, Harry And The War Between The Windsors, released in July, author Tom Bower claimed that Hussey had predicted that the marriage would “all end in tears”.
Following Hussey’s resignation, a former close aide to Queen Elizabeth reportedly accused the Palace of having acted with “indecent haste” in announcing her departure. Hussey “has been thrown under a bus” as part of a “massive overreaction”, the unnamed source told the Daily Mail’s Richard Kay.
Critics who view the royal household as an “irredeemable hotbed of bigotry” will cite Hussey’s comments as evidence, said a leader in The Sun. But the Palace’s “rapid and robust response” is “more revealing about whether such archaic attitudes are tolerated there”, added the paper. And “they plainly are not”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Social Security: Insolvency date keeps getting closer
Feature A new report has projected that Social Security funds could be depleted by 2033
-
Are AI lovers replacing humans?
Talking Points A third of Gen Z singles use tech as a 'romantic companion'
-
What are the Trump Accounts for kids and how do they work?
The Explainer Parents will soon be able to open tax-advantaged investment accounts on their child's behalf
-
King Charles and Prince Harry: peace in our time?
Talking Point Leaked images of a secret meeting between royal aides suggest a dialogue is beginning to open up
-
King Charles and the Sovereign Grant: how UK taxpayers fund the monarchy
The Explainer Royals received £86.3m from government last year – and they are in line for a 50% increase
-
Prince Harry's 'bombshell' BBC interview
Talking Point Royal claims he is not safe to visit the UK and fuels speculation over King Charles' health in 'extraordinary' BBC interview
-
Is Prince Harry owed protection?
Talking Point The Duke of Sussex claims he has been singled out for 'unjustified and inferior treatment' over decision to withdraw round-the-clock security
-
The Sentebale row: a blow for Prince Harry
Talking Point Duke of Sussex made 'devastating' decision to stand down as Aids charity's patron, following 'power struggle' between its trustees and new chair
-
The princess and the PR: Meghan Markle's image problem
Talking Point A tough week for the Sussexes has seen a familiar tale of vitriol and invective thrown the way of the actor-cum-duchess
-
Is the royal family a security risk?
Today's big question A Chinese spy's access to Prince Andrew has raised questions about Chinese influence in the UK
-
The Duchy Files: how bad is the scandal for King Charles?
Today's Big Question Making millions in rent from the NHS and armed forces a 'PR disaster' for royal family