At a reception hosted by Queen Camilla, a black activist feels marginalized by a member of the royal household who was Elizabeth II’s lady-in-waiting. Again and again the invited person has to answer the question of where she “really” comes from. Buckingham Palace is distancing itself.
Buckingham Palace has apologized for comments made by a member of the Royal Household after repeatedly asking a black charity activist where she “really” came from. The comments were “unacceptable and deeply regrettable,” the palace said. The person concerned apologized for the damage caused and had resigned from their voluntary work. Meanwhile, heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Kate arrived in Boston for a visit, their first trip to the United States in eight years.
Activist Ngozi Fulani, a prominent advocate for victims of domestic violence, attended a reception organized by King Consort Camilla to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. She later shared on Twitter how she was approached by a woman after revealing that she was born and raised in the UK and was British.
She would have asked: “Where do you really come from, where do your people come from?” She then felt compelled to explain that she had “African roots” and “Caribbean descent”. At the same time, however, she once again emphasized that she was a British citizen. The exchange left her with “mixed feelings” about the reception, said the executive director of the London-based movement Sistah Space.
The Buckingham Palace statement said the incident was being taken “extremely seriously”. The palace had contacted Ngozi Fulani and invited her to personally report on her experience “if she so wishes”. The palace reminded all members of the royal household to abide by the “diversity and inclusion policy” at all times.
According to British media, the member of the royal household in question is Susan Hussey. The 83-year-old was a long-time lady-in-waiting and close confidant of the former Queen Elizabeth II. She is one of Prince William’s six godparents.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Prince William and his wife Kate also commented on the incident in Boston, where the couple arrived on Wednesday for a three-day stay focused on climate change. “These statements were unacceptable,” said the spokesman. It is correct that the person concerned resigned “with immediate effect”. Prince William was not involved in the decision, but believes that it is correct.
During their visit to the United States on Friday, William and Kate are also expected to meet US President Joe Biden. Details are still being worked out, the White House said on Wednesday.
