A MEMBER of the Buckingham Palace household has apologised and resigned after making “unacceptable comments” to a black British guest at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort.
Ngozi Fulani, who founded nonprofit organisation Sistah Space to aid victims of domestic violence, claims a royal aide repeatedly asked where she was “really from.”
During the event, hosted by The Queen Consort, Camilla at Buckingham Palace for campaigners tackling violence against women, the aide quizzed Fulani on her nationality and African origins despite the fact that she was born in Britain.
Fulani recounted the conversation on Twitter.
Asked to explain where she was from she said: “We’re based in Hackney”. The aide replied: “No, what part of Africa are you from?”
She said: “I don’t know, they didn’t leave any records”, and the Palace member responded: “Well you must know where you’re from, I spent time in France. Where are you from?”
“Here, UK”
“No, but what nationality are you?”
“I am born here and am British.”
“No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”
The conversation was overheard by Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party.
She said that both she and Fulani were “stunned into silence” following the conversation. As well as demanding an apology she said that staff should receive diversity training.
In a statement Buckingham Palace said: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.
“In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
“In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect. All members of the household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”
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Reality check. It is my opinion the eminent Lady was focused on the attire and visual of Miss Fulani, and who is still of the mindset of The British Empire, and therefore could not accept Miss Fulani’s response that she was born on Britain and is a British Citizen but rather an African from Africa, and of an African tribe.The eminent Lady’s British Empire superiority mindset kicked in which gave her the authority in her mind to physically remove Miss Fulani’s hat as if she was a subject under colonial rule. It is my view the eminent Lady considered her actions quite normal according to the question and answer session that took place. The actions of the eminent Lady is not at all surprising. It is only embarrassing for the Royal Household to be so quickly and publicly found out. Again, it is my view that there are those within the British aristocrasy who really believe black folk will not understand the actions of an English aristocrat as we are not educated to understand such things and therefore feel at liberty to do as they please with us. Out of respect for The Voice Newspaper I will not state here my thoughts on that extremely prejudicial point of view.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, quit as a Royal Aid after repeatedly refusing to acknowledge and accept that Ms Ngozi Fulani is one of His Majesty’s English born African-Caribbean heritage Subject; whilst interrogating Ms Ngozi Fulani’s genetic heritage and origins.
I was shocked and saddened recently when addressing pupils aged ten to being repeatedly asked, “where are you from?”
I do not speak with accented English.
My African skin and West African facial features are a clear indicator of my non-Western European Caucasian racial heritage.
These young pupils would not accept that I was English born and local.
They insisted on being informed of my genetic racial historical journey.
For this reason, I believe Prince William’s Godmother, Lady Susan Hussey, who also served for 60 years as the late Queen Elizabeth’s Lady-in-waiting, should be forgiven for also refusing to accept an English born African-Caribbean Subject of His Majesty, can be considered as an English national.
It is regrettable that Lady Susan Hussey has been labelled as a “racist” for merely trying to establish the origins of Ms Ngozi Fulani; who works at Sistah, as an advocate for survivors of domestic abuse for African and Caribbean-heritage women.
England and Europe are populated by Caucasian-heritage people; and long may Europe remain populated by Caucasian-heritage Protestant and Catholic people.
Therefore, it is understandable that non-Caucasian-heritage people’s racial heritage is of genuine interest to Lady Hessey; and the ten-year-old pupils who demanded to know my racial origins.
Have Left-wing, African, and Asian people become overly sensitive and far too quick to accuse Caucasian -heritage people who enquire into our racial heritage as “racist?”
I am often criticised for referring to English born African-heritage people, as “His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects.”
Being referred to as “His Majesty African-heritage Subject”confers dignity and much needed historical status on African-heritage men, women and youth.
Being referred to as His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects is far more dignified than being referred to by the “BLACK” colour of our African-skin: or being referred to as a BLACK minority heritage man or women.
The conversation with Lady Susan Hessey, and Ms Ngozi Fulani, who founded non-profit organisation Sistah Space to aid victims of domestic violence, would not have occurred in this manner, if England’s African-heritage people welcomed being referred to as His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects, in preference to being referred to by the BLACK colour of our African-skin.
Lady Susan Hussey would not be characterised in the Press as “racist;” whilst Ms Fulani would boldly reveal her origins as an African Caribbean-Empire heritage Subject of His Majesty, who have been intimately linked to the English for 500 years.
Having discussed the conversation between Lady Susan Hessey, and Ms Ngozi Fulani, with my Caucasian-heritage family members and others.
I now wonder why Ms Fulani refused to answer Lady Hessey’s natural inquiries of Ms Fulani’s heritage, by simply revealing her African-Caribbean-antecedents?
It is perfectly acceptable to enquire into the racial; religious or national origin of people we encounter.
For Lady Susan Hussey to have her 60 years of loyal service to the Royal Family destroyed by Ms Fulani refusal to simply identify herself as one of His Majesty’s African-heritage Subjects is regrettable; and corrosive of future conversations between Caucasian and African-heritage people.
The actions of Lady Hussy highlights a deeper issue of the seriousness of institutionalised racism in our society, and proves that the concerns raised by Meghan and Harry were well founded all along. The palace/royal family have also had exceptions from race relations (and similar) legislation including the 2010 Equalities Act, so this also needs addressing.
The British Royal Family, quite rightly, have sought to distance from the behaviour of Susan Hussey because they don’t want to be seen as a racist family.
Let’s be clear. You’re at an event at Buckingham Palace for tackling domestic violence. The other attendees could be survivors of domestic violence, family members of those who have been killed by abusive partners, charities who work with victim of domestic violence, social workers who work with victims of domestic violence, police officers who work with victims of domestic violence, lawyers who work with victims of domestic violence, journalists etc. Upon meeting a stranger in that environment your first interest should not be the person heritage.
Moving the Ngozi’s hair was rude – makes me think of the dogs at Crufts.
If Susan was really interested in the person’s outfit or name she could have mentioned them and then moved onto questions about one’s heritage. I still think discussions about outfits should have come after establishing the attendee’s role in the fight against domestic violence against women (i.e. how did they secure an invitation to this exclusive event).
This was the same woman who was meant to help assimilate Meghan into the British Royal Family. It’s easy to imagine the offensive and racist things she would have said to Meghan.