Royal News and Views

Royal News and Views
[ Royal News and Views ]

Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role

Posted by Susan T on November 30, 2022, 8:46 am

Lady Susan Hussey, one of Queen Consort Camilla's closest aides, quit today after she allegedly refused to believe a black domestic abuse campaigner was British and asked her: 'What part of Africa are you from?'

Ngozi Fulani, director of the east London charity Sistah Space, said she was so shocked by the incident at Buckingham Palace yesterday that she 'couldn't report it to the Queen Consort' who had thrown the reception.

She said: 'It was such a shock to me and the other two women that we were stunned to temporary silence. I just stood at the edge of the room, smiled and engaged briefly with who spoke to me until I could leave'.

Good going, Lady Susan. You've just ensured that the Ripple of Hope Award will get a huge amount of media attention.

I'm also going to post this link in a Sussex thread for further discussion involving Harry and wife.

Link: Daily Mail

Re: Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role

Posted by Hollie24 on November 30, 2022, 10:28 am, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

Stupid, stupid, stupid. A lifetime of discreet service wiped out by stupidity.

Re: Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role

Posted by Carolyn on November 30, 2022, 11:04 am, in reply to "Re: Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

I think Lady Hussey was having a senior moment of stupidity. What a dumb thing to do.

Re: Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role

Posted by Susan T on November 30, 2022, 11:48 am, in reply to "Re: Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

I don't understand why Lady Susan is described as one of Camilla's closest aides. She isn't one of the six Queen's Companions.

In the article revealing the Queen's Companions, it says:

The late Queen’s ladies-in-waiting have been kept on but will now be known as ladies of the household. They are Lady Susan Hussey, Dame Mary Morrison and Dame Annabel Whitehead.

A Palace spokesman added that the former ladies-in-waiting would ‘continue to assist His Majesty the King in hosting formal occasions at Buckingham Palace’.

'Racism has no place in our society'

Posted by Susan T on November 30, 2022, 11:27 am, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

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.

Link: Daily Mail

Lady Susan Hussey quits over remarks to charity boss Ngozi Fulani

Posted by Susan T on November 30, 2022, 12:42 pm, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

n/t

Link: BBC

Ex-CPS chief says sacked royal aide, 83, also asked HIM about his 'heritage'

Posted by Susan T on December 1, 2022, 7:17 am, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

One of the UK's leading lawyers today claimed that Lady Susan Hussey interrogated him about his heritage at the same function where she asked a black British domestic violence campaigner: 'Where in Africa are you from?'.

Nazir Afzal, 60, Chancellor of the University of Manchester and ex-chief prosecutor of the CPS under Sir Keir Starmer, reacted to the row by declaring: 'Racism is never far away'.

(snip)

Ngozi Fulani today revealed that the King, Queen Consort or Prince William have not contacted her to apologise. But she said she would be 'happy' to take up the Royal Family's invitation to meet to discuss what happened when Lady Susan Hussey refused to believe she was British and 'about 7 or 8 times' had asked her: 'Where are you really from?'.
Ngozi Fulani today revealed that the King, Queen Consort or Prince William have not contacted her to apologise. But she said she would be 'happy' to take up the Royal Family's invitation to meet to discuss what happened when Lady Susan Hussey refused to believe she was British and 'about 7 or 8 times' had asked her: 'Where are you really from?'.

I'm not sure why William would be the person expected to contact her. He didn't attend the event, Lady Susan was not a member of his household, and he can hardly be held responsible for his parents' choice of his godparents.

Link: Daily Mail

Re: Ex-CPS chief says sacked royal aide, 83, also asked HIM about his 'heritage'

Posted by karenl on December 1, 2022, 1:50 pm, in reply to "Ex-CPS chief says sacked royal aide, 83, also asked HIM about his 'heritage'"

I disagree with the way Ms. Fulani has handled this situation. She could have quietly approached the Palace staff, explained her concerns and suggested a meeting with Lady Susan to discuss with her why she was offended and upset, Lady Susan could have had the opportunity to apologize in person and the Palace as well. This was the perfect opportunity to address an incident of racism and work through it and educate Lady Susan and the staff as well. Ms. Fulani didn't even do that...she ran to the press instead. She knew full well that this would be a juicy story. She blindsided the Palace. The best is her statement yesterday that she "didn't want Lady Susan vilified". She knew very well the press would do just that and Lady Susan would be vilified as a horrible human.
Ms. Fulani dealt with an elderly woman who did the wrong thing and more than likely was upset, but she could talk to and perhaps, change her behavior. Lady Susan may still have resigned, don't know. It wasn't as if she was dealing with a hard core white supremacist.
Now we have the lawyer piping up, did he do anything in regards to the Palace..no, but he can sure pipe up to the press.
I deplore the actions of people who experience a wrong and state something has to be done, but don't work towards education/solutions. Who prefer to shout to the press and sit back on their laurels as victims.
Sorry, William doesn't owe Ms. Fulani an apology, he wasn't at the function.

Re: Ex-CPS chief says sacked royal aide, 83, also asked HIM about his 'heritage'

Posted by Cynthia on December 1, 2022, 3:53 pm, in reply to "Ex-CPS chief says sacked royal aide, 83, also asked HIM about his 'heritage'"

Considering a couple of other posts Ms. Fulani made in the past about racism with the British royals (mainly that they hadn't been including Megan in a couple of things), I am taking her "word for word" account with a grain of salt.

The Firm is at a tipping point

Posted by Susan T on December 1, 2022, 1:22 pm, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

Surprisingly well-written explanation of the race gaffe and why it matters. No loaded language.

I do take exception with this sentence: Unfortunately, Lady Susan's daughter was already appointed one of Camilla's Companions.

To decide that Lady Susan's daughter is unfit for her position based on her mother's behavior is a form of prejudice.

Link: Daily Mail

Taz's take

Posted by Hollie24 on December 1, 2022, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

I'm in the middle of the video, but thought I'd post it anyway.

Re: Taz's take

Posted by Susan T on December 1, 2022, 2:22 pm, in reply to "Taz's take"

I'm in the middle of it, but I have to take exception to the idea that if you don't use the 'N' word, don't belong to the KKK, aren't a skinhead, don't go around burning crosses on people's lawns, etc, then ipso facto, you're not a racist. And if that is somebody's starting position, then I'm very unlikely to agree with their ending conclusion.

Culture differences

Posted by Karen on December 1, 2022, 4:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Taz's take"

I have in the past had exchanges with friends in the States who have reactions to things to do with race differently to how I do here in the UK. I have watched Taz's video and as a British person her take and reaction is the way I am to reacting to the whole thing. Race and the reaction to it in the States is much stronger than it is in the UK. Yes, we do have racisim but how it is seen and reacted to is less stronger and more muted here in the UK. Taz's reaction is typical Brit.

Re: Culture differences

Posted by Nellie on December 1, 2022, 7:21 pm, in reply to "Culture differences"

There is a myriad of aspects to this uproar.
But there was a detail in the video that was new to me. Seems Sistah Space was formed for people of African and Caribbean heritage. So the name tags almost certainly displayed more than just the wearer's name. Did SH take some cues from there by using both those words?
Quickly: yes, SH was very rude to move NF's hair and to badger her by repeating questions. Both surprised me.

I have been recalling a number of "racist" occasions 30 plus years ago in my working career. There could be the instant knowing glance between some of us and the burst of easy laughter from another. There was shared understanding. These days the whole territory is highly politicised and a minefield.

Re: Taz's take

Posted by karenl on December 1, 2022, 7:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Taz's take"

The big problem is that the conversation/interaction took place without any other people to witness it, supposedly, but they were in a room full of women and staff. Ms. Fulani had no one to report the conversation to....Bull. If someone is very offended and upset, she finds someone on staff to talk to.
On that note...the Karen label is very offensive to me and to other women I know named Karen, one of whom is is a neurosurgeon and she's black.

Ms. Fulani Now Pleading For Focus To Remain On Domestic Abuse Work

Posted by karenl on December 2, 2022, 12:06 am, in reply to "Re: Taz's take"

"The black charity boss at the centre of a royal racism row has called for the focus to remain on domestic abuse survivors rather than the resignation of the late Queen's lady-in-waiting."

Now it's too late, heifer. Her charity may very well suffer for this.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1703927/royal-news-racism-row-lady-susan-hussey-Ngozi-Fulani

BP Had Direct Discussion With Ms. Fulani After Incident

Posted by karenl on December 2, 2022, 12:13 am, in reply to "Ms. Fulani Now Pleading For Focus To Remain On Domestic Abuse Work"

"A "direct discussion" has reportedly taken place between Buckingham Palace and the black charity boss who accused it of "institutional racism" following her treatment during an event. Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Ngozi Fulani, founder of domestive violence charity Sistah Space, said neither she nor her company had been contacted by the palace."

".....This contradicted a statement made by a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace shortly after Ms Fulani's claims emerged, in which they stated the palace had "reached out to her" and invited her to "discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes."

However, according to ITV's Chris Ship, a "direct discussion has now taken place between both sides", and they are now "working out how to move forward after this week's events."

Ms Fulani said on the chat show: "People keep saying the palace has reached out to me - nobody's reached out to me."

She confirmed the charity had also not been told, adding: "I'm telling you categorically, we have not heard from the palace."

Hmmm, interesting.

(I posted this article in the wrong thread and had to put it in the correct thread))

https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1704148/buckingham-palace-race-row-ngozi-fulani-sistah-space-lady-susan-hussey

Lady Susan Hussey Offers To Meet Ms. Fulani To Apologize Directly

Posted by karenl on December 2, 2022, 12:39 am, in reply to "BP Had Direct Discussion With Ms. Fulani After Incident"

"Lady Susan Hussey has offered to personally meet with the British charity campaigner who accused her of racial ‘abuse’.

Friends told the Mail that the 83-year-old former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen, who was retained by the king in an honorary role, has reiterated her wish to apologise directly to Ngozi Fulani.

Sources also made clear that contrary to suggestions that the charity founder had not heard from them, Palace officials had ‘reached out’ through a number of channels including Safe Lives, the domestic abuse charity who invited her to attend, in order to express their ‘profound’ regret for the ‘unacceptable’ comments and were keen to engage with her when she felt ready."

".....On Wednesday, after Miss Fulani published details of their conversation on social media, which was backed up by witnesses" Who were the witnesses?
I'll be interested to see what occurs. If Fulani doesn't want to meet with Lady Susan, it makes her look unforgiving and unwilling to work on the issue of racism. It's easier to sit back, play the victim and let the press do your dirty work.
It was wrong to touch her hair, but now the Palace and Lady Susan are/have reached out to make amends......I'm waiting to see the excuse Ms. Fulani will make to avoid any action on her part.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11492013/Late-Queens-lady-waiting-Lady-Susan-Hussey-offers-meet-black-campaigner-racism-row.html

Re: Taz's take

Posted by Karen on December 2, 2022, 4:23 am, in reply to "Re: Taz's take"

On that note...the Karen label is very offensive to me and to other women I know named Karen, one of whom is is a neurosurgeon and she's black.

I agree, I and other friends, one who is mixed race hate that our name is used as that label. Hate it. Extreamely offensive.

Murkey Meg

Posted by Nellie on December 2, 2022, 4:17 am, in reply to "Prince William's godmother Lady Susan Hussey resigns from Buckingham Palace role"

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