Kensington Palace today backed Prince William's godmother's decision to step down from the royal household after she was accused of racism at a Buckingham Palace reception set up by Queen Consort Camilla.

Lady Susan Hussey quit after she allegedly refused to believe a black domestic abuse campaigner was British and asked her: 'What part of Africa are you from?'

A spokesman for the Prince of Wales said it was ‘really disappointing’ to hear about the experiences of a guest at Buckingham Palace, adding: ‘Racism has no place in our society, these comments were unacceptable and it’s right that the individual concerned has stepped down’.

The resignation is humiliating for Camilla and a disaster for Lady Hussey's godson Prince William, who lands in the US today with the Princess of Wales for a three-day tour now at risk of being overshadowed by the race row.