Ngozi Fulani has claimed that Buckingham Palace failed to apologize to her properly after Lady Susan Hussey asked her “Where are you really from?” her—and she revealed that she will be temporarily stepping down as CEO of her charity.
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain on International Women’s Day, Ms Fulani revealed she would be leaving her position at Sistah Space, a charity that helps Afro-Caribbean women who have faced domestic abuse.
She says that the organization has suffered as a direct result of the dispute with Lady Susan, who was Queen Elizabeth II’s most important lady-in-waiting, and claims “violence” has been directed at her after the incident.
“Service users and the community cannot access us properly,” he said. “This whole thing has cost us a fortune because we had to pay for our own PR to keep the press out, it was horrible.”
Ms Fulani met Lady Susan in person in December to discuss the issue, but today hit the Palace, which had publicly issued an official apology statement after the incident.
She told GMB: ‘Who are they apologizing to? If you’re sorry, tell me you’re sorry, if you’re not, speak for yourself. If you have to ask someone for an apology, it’s not an apology.
Lady Susan Hussey (pictured) has returned to official duties for Princess Anne.
Ngozi Fulani said she felt she suffered “a form of abuse” during her meeting with Lady Susan, who repeatedly asked her where she was “really” from, despite making it clear she was British.
‘I’m just making the point so everyone understands, I don’t see what’s so hard to say I’m sorry.
You sent me the invitation so you know how to find me. You know how to say sorry.
‘If you’re sorry, say sorry, if you don’t, I get it.
“But when you apologize to everyone, I don’t know who you’re apologizing to.”
But she said she doesn’t regret speaking out about what happened as it’s about “discussing and raising awareness about violence against women and girls, and I’ll go anywhere anytime to fight for that cause.”
Ms Fulani had accompanied a friend to a reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by the Queen Consort, to highlight violence against women and girls.
She said Lady Susan repeatedly asked her where she was ‘really’ from, despite her making it clear she was British, during the event.
Ms Fulani says she felt “violated” after she was “interrogated” by Prince William’s godmother.
The former lady-in-waiting, who served the late Queen for six decades and was retained by the King in an honorary role, resigned ‘with immediate effect’ in November amid angry protest after Ms Fulani tweeted about her event experience. .
Ms Fulani previously described her Buckingham Palace ordeal 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.”
Ms Fulani appeared on Good Morning Britain today where she said she does not regret speaking out about what happened.
She hit out at the Palace and announced that she has temporarily resigned as CEO of Sistah Space.
Ms Fulani also dismissed suggestions that Lady Hussey’s comments were due to her age.
He previously 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 unpleasant in my own space.’
After Ms Fulani made a series of media appearances about the incident, she met Lady Susan at Buckingham Palace in mid-December to discuss the issue.
The Palace said after the meeting: “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.
Buckingham Palace said after the meeting that Lady Susan “has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more.”
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.”
MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace and Sistah Space for comment.