Late Queen’s lady-in-waiting Lady Susan Hussey meets black charity boss Ngozi Fulani

Lady Susan Hussey met black British charity boss Ngozi Fulani today to apologise in person for repeatedly asking her ‘what part of Africa are you from?’ at a royal reception. 

The 83-year-old, who served the late Queen for six decades, stepped down from her honorary role ‘with immediate effect’ amid a furious outcry after Ms Fulani tweeted about her experience at the event last month. 

The scandal prompted an intervention from Prince William, who criticised his godmother’s ‘unacceptable comments’ and said ‘racism has no place in our society’.  

Today, Buckingham Palace revealed the former aide had now met the campaigner, who founded the charity Sistah Space, to express her ‘sincere apologies’. The statement added that the King and Queen Consort were ‘pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome’.

Ngozi Fulani said she had suffered ‘horrific abuse’ on social media since the incident 

Buckingham Palace today said that Lady Susan ‘has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more’

Their statement read: “At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.

“Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.

“Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended. 

‘Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.

‘They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.

‘It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the UN’s 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now return to the important work of Sistah Space in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.

‘Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been kept fully informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome.’

Lady Susan repeatedly asked about Ms Ngozi’s heritage despite her saying she was from British and from Hackney.

Only when the domestic violence campaigner said she was of Caribbean descent and African origin did Lady Hussey stop, saying: ‘I knew we’d get there in the end.’ 

Ms Fulani, 57, later posted a transcript of the exchange on social media, which led to a furious outcry, leading Lady Susan to quit her post.