Charity CEO Ngozi Fulani says Buckingham Palace has not reached out to her despite the Palace saying they did in their statement. She says her interaction with Lady Susan Hussey was “abuse” and it never should have happened. More of what the charity boss shared about the abusive exchange, plus updates on Prince William and Kate’s not-so-welcoming NBA appearance and what a friend of the Prince is spilling inside…
Buckingham Palace has come under fire after a charity CEO tweeted about an “offensive” exchange with Lady Susan Hussey, a longtime royal aide and good friend of the late Queen.
Lady Susan Hussey resigned after Ngozi Fulani, the CEO of London-based nonprofit Sistah Space, said she was violated with questions about whether she was really British during a reception hosted by Camilla, the queen consort, for women working to fight domestic violence.
The Black, British-born activist said Lady Hussey, who is Prince William’s godmother, repeatedly asked her where she was really from, what her nationality was, and where her people were from. Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, witnessed the exchange, and she said the questions and remarks from Hussey were “offensive, racist, and unwelcoming.”
Ngozi appeared on “Good Morning Britain” to give her account of what happened at the royal reception. Watch below:
‘The question was asked about 7 or 8 times.’
Lady Susan Hussey has quit after she allegedly repeatedly asked black domestic abuse campaigner Ngozi Fulani: ‘What part of Africa are you from?’. pic.twitter.com/pCDctFjUqr
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 1, 2022
You’ll recall, Buckingham Palace released a statement, claiming they reached out to Ngozi. The original statement read:
”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.”
Ms Fulani told “Good Morning Britain” that Buckingham Palace has not contacted her about what happened at the royal reception, but said she would accept an invitation for a discussion.
”No. That surprised me,” she said. “People keep saying the palace has reached out to me. Nobody has reached out to me.”
The charity founder said she has “clarity” that what she did was “racism.”
“I’m very clear about what happened. You ask me where I’m from and I tell you from here, ‘yeah but where are you really from’. I’m really from here. She said it more than once. And then ‘where are your people from’.
“This is not appropriate…I have to really question how this can happen in a space that’s supposed to protect women against all kinds of violence. Although it’s not physical violence, it is abuse.”
Yes, it is.
Watch the clip below:
‘Why can’t we get something positive out of this.’
Charity boss Ngozi Fulani says she ‘has not heard from the Palace’ but she ‘would be happy to have a discussion’.
Prince William’s godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigned after the incident. pic.twitter.com/NBsndNwA4t
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) December 1, 2022
She added, “If you invite people to an event against domestic abuse and there are people there from different demographics, I don’t see the relevance of whether I’m British or not British.
“I’m very proud of my African heritage, I make that clear. You’re trying to make me unwelcome in my own space…what’s out there is just a synopsis [of the conversation].
“I would have preferred it did not happen, I would have preferred that I could go to a space where I’ve been invited and be treated as every other guest was treated,” she said.
Prince William released a statement via a spokesperson, agreeing that Lady Hussey’s resignation was necessary.
The racism scandal was brought to light just as the Prince and Princess of Wales touched down in the United States. Prince William and Kate made their way to the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, to get in some basketball action. The royal couple sat courtside to see the Boston Celtics go up against the Miami Heat. Before the Celtics beat the Heat (134-121), the royals were put up on the jumbotron, where they were met with “boos” and “USA!” chants.
Check it:
Prince William and Princess Kate on the Jumbotron at TD Garden followed by a smattering of boos and USA chants pic.twitter.com/Pf9TVrsvSk
— Avi Carr-Gloth (@avicarrgloth) December 1, 2022
There’s another angle of the video where you can hear more applause, but you can also hear the boos in the background. Take a listen below:
Prince William and Princess Kate attend the Boston @celtics game! https://t.co/gRtHsibpDN pic.twitter.com/HOPaD9x3t0
— Good Morning America (@GMA) December 1, 2022
After the game, Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown was asked how he felt about playing in front of the royal couple, and he didn’t have much to say.
Jaylen Brown on playing in front of the Prince and Princess: pic.twitter.com/iyzc8yM5oi
— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) December 1, 2022
Oop.
As for the racism scandal, someone close to the Prince of Wales is reportedly speaking out on his behalf.
An alleged friend of the Prince told The Daily Beast that William would likely be trying to get attention for the Earthshot Prize Awards, a three-day event commemorating people who have made significant contributions to environmentalism, and not address the racism scandal at the Palace.
“William ultimately subscribes to his grandmother’s ‘keep calm and carry on’ school of thinking, and that is what he will be doing, trying to get the focus back on the award,” the friend said.
Asked if this meant he would risk being seen as effectively pretending the comments by Lady Susan Hussey hadn’t happened, or confronting their consequences and significance for the royal family, the friend said, “He condemned the remarks in no uncertain terms. He just won’t be going on Oprah to talk about it.”
Hmm…was that shade for Prince Harry and Meghan?
The Daily Beast reports:
A spokesperson for the prince declined to comment further on the remarks Wednesday evening, with his team known to be determined to avoid being “distracted” by issues not related to the Earthshot prize.
There is no chance of that—as the royal family finds itself consumed by negative headlines, Harry and Meghan stuck the knife in further Thursday releasing the trailer for their Netflix show, in which Harry is heard saying, “No one knows what’s happening behind closed doors. I had to do everything I could to protect my family,” he says.
Speaking of Prince Harry & Meghan’s new Netflix film…
The trailer for the “Harry & Meghan” documentary dropped today. Check it out above. It’s “coming soon.”
We can’t wait to hear their story.
Photos: Ngozi’s Twitter/Chris Radburn/PA via AP, File
