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Lady Susan Hussey met the head of a black British charity, Ngozi Fulani, today to apologize in person for repeatedly asking her “what part of Africa are you from?” at a royal reception.
The 83-year-old, who served the late Queen for six decades, stepped down from her honorary position “with immediate effect” amid angry protest after the Fulani lady tweeted about her experience at the event last month.
The scandal prompted an intervention from Prince William, with the heir to the throne criticizing his godmother’s “unacceptable comments” and saying that “racism has no place in our society.”
Buckingham Palace revealed today that the former assistant had met the activist, who founded the charity Sistah Space, to express her “sincere apologies”.
The statement added that the King and Queen Consort were “pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome”, criticizing the “barrage of abuse” Miss Fulani has since received on social media.
Ngozi Fulani said she had suffered ‘horrible abuse’ on social media since the incident.
Buckingham Palace said today that Lady Susan “has undertaken to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more.”
The Palace said today: ‘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 Ms Fulani.
‘Lady Susan is committed to deepening her awareness of the sensitivities involved and welcomes the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.
Unjustly the recipient of the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, Ms Fulani has accepted this apology and appreciates that there was no malice.
Both Mrs Fulani and Lady Susan are now asking to be left alone to rebuild their lives following an immensely harrowing period for both of them.
‘They hope their example will show that a path can be found to resolve with kindness, cooperation and condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.
“It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the 16 days of UN Gender-Based Violence Activism, the focus can now return to the important work of Sistah Space to support women affected by domestic abuse.
“Their Majesties the King and Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this positive outcome.”
Miss Fulani says she felt ‘violated’ after Prince William’s godmother, who was the late Queen’s right-hand woman for 62 years, ‘questioned’ her about her provenance at a Palace reception, even though she left Clearly she was British. .
He also accused Lady Susan of flipping her hair to look at his dog tag and asked, ‘What part of Africa are you from?’ when she replied that she came from Hackney.
Only when the anti-domestic violence activist said she was of Caribbean and African descent did Lady Hussey stop and say: ‘I knew we would get there eventually.’
Ms Fulani, 57, then posted a transcript of the exchange on social media, sparking a furious protest, prompting Lady Susan to resign her position.
Sources previously told the Mail that while there was no doubt the comments were made, “absolutely no malice was intended.”
Mrs Fulani (left) at Buckingham Palace for the event attended by the Queen Consort (right)
Miss Fulani previously described her ordeal at Buckingham Palace as a “form of abuse”.
He also said that Lady Susan moved her dreadlocks during the exchange so she could read his nameplate.
“That’s a no-no,” said Miss Fulani. “I wouldn’t put my hands in someone’s hair, and it’s not culturally appropriate.”
She added: “Although I did not experience physical violence, what I feel I did experience was a form of abuse.”
Miss Fulani also dismissed suggestions that Lady Hussey’s comments were due to her age.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “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, like I said, against domestic abuse, and there are people from different demographics, I don’t see the relevance of whether I’m British or not British. You’re trying to make me nasty in my own space.
Miss Fulani has received widespread support since the event, including from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s longtime friend, celebrated photographer and social activist Misan Harriman, who described her as “a GIANT in her field.”
He wrote on Twitter: ‘She has dedicated her life to protecting women who are survivors of domestic violence.
“They should have known who he was and celebrated the fact that he is one of the souls that makes this country great.”
Harriman announced that Meghan was expecting her second child with a black-and-white image from the Sussexes in February last year, in which Harry could be seen resting his hand on his wife’s head as she lay on his lap.
He also contributed an impressive collection of portraits of Miss Fulani and other members of the Sistah Space community in an article for British Vogue last year.
Nazir Afzal, the former chief prosecutor in the north of England who helped convict the Rochdale grooming gang, later revealed that Lady Susan also questioned him about his “inheritance” at the now-infamous royal reception.
Afzal, who has repeatedly received racial abuse including Pakistani slurs during his career, said: “She (Lady Susan) only asked me about my heritage once and seemed to accept my answer: Manchester these days! Racism is never far away though.
It recently emerged that Sistah Space could face an official investigation into its finances in response to a series of claims made online.
The Charity Commission is reportedly “assessing material” related to the charity, which offers support to victims of abuse and violence within African and Caribbean communities.
Meanwhile, the Greater London Assembly is said to be re-examining whether the thousands of pounds sterling given to the charity were “used as intended”.
A Sistah Space spokesperson told the Telegraph: ‘Sistah Space has not been approached by the Charity Commission.
“What we do know is that they are evaluating the information posted on social media, as part of their normal procedure, but have not opened an official investigation, however if they contact us, we will of course fully cooperate.”