How Lady Susan Hussey reacted to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding revealed
LADY Susan Hussey’s reaction to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding has been revealed.
It comes as Lady Hussey was embroiled in a race row after reportedly quizzing Ngozi Fulani over her nationality at a reception on Tuesday.
Lady Hussey, a pal of the late Queen, resigned yesterday after allegedly asking Fulani at Buckingham Palace: “Where are you really from?”
British born Ngozi attended the event on behalf of domestic abuse charity Sistah Space to mark the UN’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
But Ngozi said she was horrified when Lady Susan approached her, moved her hair to see her name badge and asked: “Where do your people come from?”
The employee repeatedly questioned what part of Africa she was from and when she first came to the UK, Ngozi claims.
Lady Hussey’s resignation is a sad end to the career of a woman who was chosen as one of Prince William’s godparents.
But it is not the first time Lady Hussey has made a controversial comment, reports the Telegraph.
In 2018, a few months before the wedding of Harry and Meghan, Lady Hussey is reported to have told a group of theatre executives during a lunch that their marriage “will all end in tears – mark my words”.
Ngozi has slammed the Palace ordeal and said she wanted to leave after being made to feel “very unwelcome”.
She said the experience, just 10 minutes after arriving, left her “insulted” with “mixed feelings” about the royal visit.
Ngozi Fulani added that her interaction with the late Queen’s lady in waiting was “like an interrogation” and that she felt she was being forced to “denounce my British citizenship”.
Speaking on Radio 4 today Ngozi said: “At that time, I’m thinking to myself, is it that she – because she keeps asking me the same question – could it be that she can’t hear me well? Because you have to consider so many things when you’re talking to someone who may be older than you…
“But it soon dawned on me very quickly that this was nothing to do with her capacity to understand, but this is her trying to make me really denounce my British citizenship.
“I was left completely stunned and it just continued for about five minutes.
“It felt like an interrogation. I know that if you invite people to an event for domestic abuse, there are people there from different demographics.
“I don’t see the relevance of where I’m from matters.
“I want the focus to remain where it should be. I have to keep the focus on violence against women and girls.”
Alleged 'racist' Buckingham Palace encounter
Lady Susan Hussey: Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Sistah Space.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, where do you come from?
Ngozi Fulani: We’re based in Hackney.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, what part of Africa are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: I don’t know, they didn’t leave any records.
Lady Susan Hussey: Well, you must know where you’re from. I spent time in France. Where are you from?
Ngozi Fulani: Here, the UK.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but what nationality are you?
Ngozi Fulani: I was born here and am British.
Lady Susan Hussey: No, but where do you really come from? Where do your people come from?
Ngozi Fulani: ‘My people?’ Lady, what is this?
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I can see I’m going to have a challenge getting you to say where you’re from. When did you first come here?
Ngozi Fulani: Lady! I am a British national. My parents came here in the 50s.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, I knew we’d get there in the end. You’re Caribbean.
Ngozi Fulani: No lady, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent and British nationality.
Lady Susan Hussey: Oh, so you’re from…
When asked whether the palace had contacted her about the interaction involving Lady Susan Hussey, Ms Fulani told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “No. People keep saying the palace has reached out to me. Nobody has reached out to me.”
Pressed on whether the palace had reached out to her via her charity, Sistah Space, Ngozi said: “No. I don’t know where this has come from, but I’m telling you categorically – we have not heard from the palace.”
Ngozi said that if she receives an invitation from the Prince of Wales to attend the palace and discuss her experience she would accept it, telling GMB: “See, what we’re about is positive results, so absolutely, I think a discussion should be held.
“We’re very happy to have that discussion, because we just want to bring it back to the 16 days of activism.”
The claims come 18 months after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stunned the world alleging a member of the royal family made racist remarks about the colour of their son Archie’s skin.
Lady Susan was at the Queen’s side, travelling with her in the State Bentley to St George’s Chapel for Philip’s poignant farewell service amid Covid restrictions.
Such is her bond with the royal family that Lady Susan, now 83, was one of the Prince of Wales’s godparents, and also attended his confirmation in 1997.
During the pandemic, she joined the Queen and Philip in HMS Bubble as one of about 20 staff who cared for the royal couple in lockdown at Windsor Castle.
Lady Susan was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey.
Her daughter Lady Katharine Brooke is a close friend of the Queen Consort, and has just been appointed one of Camilla’s six new Queen’s Companions.