Ngozi Fulani 'ACCEPTS apology' from Lady Susan Hussey over royal race row - 'Immensely distressing period'

Ngozi Fulani has accepted an apology from Lady Susan Hussey over an incident that took place at a Buckingham Palace reception last month.

The pair took part in a meeting at the Palace to address the incident, which saw Lady Hussey asking Ms Fulani where she is from, something the latter alleges had racist allegations.

Ms Fulani said she felt as if she was being “interrogated” by Queen Elizabeth II”s lady in waiting.

Following the allegations, Lady Susan Hussey stepped down from her role.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace have addressed the incident and outlined what took place in a meeting between the pair.

They said: “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.

“The Royal Households will continue their focus on inclusion and diversity, with an enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space, and ensuring these reach all members of their communities.

“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.

Lady Susan Hussey was criticised by Ngozi Fulani over perceived racism.
Chris Radburn

“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.”

Domestic abuse campaigner Ngozi Fulani has said her treatment by the late Queen’s lady in waiting was down to racism, not her age.

Lady Susan Hussey, the Prince of Wales’s 83-year-old godmother, resigned from the household and apologised after asking Ms Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, where she “really came from” at a royal reception on Tuesday.

Ms Fulani told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Let us be clear what this is.

“I’ve heard so many suggestions it’s about her age and stuff like that. And I think that’s a kind of a disrespect about ageism. Are we saying that because of your age you can’t be racist or you can’t be inappropriate?

“If you invite people to an event, as I said, against domestic abuse, and there are people there from different demographics, I don’t see the relevance of whether I’m British or not British. You’re trying to make me unwelcome in my own space.”

She added: “Although it’s not physical violence, it is an abuse.”