The race row over comments by Lady Susan Hussey presents a “disaster” for Prince William and the Royal Family, according to royal commentator Jennie Bond.
She spoke out after Lady Hussey, the late Queen’s chief lady-in-waiting, was sacked after campaigner Ngozi Fulani said she had racially insulted her at a reception this week.
The row now threatens to overshadow a trip to Boston in the USA by the Prince and Princess of Wales to attend the Earthshot Prize ceremony.
Ms Bond told GB News: “I’ve known her for many years, not well, but come across her at many royal events because she was a very, very senior member of the Queen's entourage. She was her confidant in many ways.
Jennie Bond spoke about Ngozi Fulani's claims about remarks from Lady Hussey.
Image: GB News
“I've always found her to be courteous and to be kind. But clearly this is a disaster. This was a showcase event at Buckingham Palace about violence against women, and a woman who was invited to be there to celebrate the work that she has done has been made to feel violated.
“It is an absolute disaster and inexcusable as the palace has made clear. I see that Miss Fulani this morning is suggesting that it's a form of abuse. I wonder if that's a little bit strong.
“I mean, it's definitely tactless, stupid, ignorant and offensive, but whether it was intended to be that I rather doubt.”
In an interview with Mark Longhurst on GB News Live, she added: “I don't want to make any excuses for Lady Hussey here, but I have seen this morning that the Chancellor of Manchester University says that he was at the reception and he was also asked what his heritage was by Lady Hussey and explain where he came from and she left it at that.
Ngozi Fulani was reportedly asked by Lady Hussey: 'What part of Africa are you from?'
Image: GB News
“So it does seem to be perhaps a question she was asking. But we're entering this whole realm of what are we correctly allowed to say about our basic human curiosity about someone's background and where they come from?
“I think there is a learning curve for all of us, people of a particular age, and you know, I'm quite old as well. Everyone has to learn a new language and I don't think Lady Susan has got there yet.”
She added: “I mean the Palace has apologised publicly but I think that it would be correct for Lady Susan, for the Palace, perhaps for Camilla who hosted the reception, possibly William who's spoken out against it already, all of them to directly contact Miss Fulani.
“Clearly that ought to happen and I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.”