By Andre Rhoden-Paul
(BBC) – A black British charity boss who was repeatedly asked where she was “really” from at a royal reception has told the BBC the encounter was “abuse”.
Ngozi Fulani was questioned about her background by Lady Susan Hussey, Prince William’s godmother, at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. The late Queen’s lady-in-waiting has since resigned.
Ms Fulani likened the conversation with Lady Hussey, 83, to “an interrogation”.
The palace described the remarks as “unacceptable and deeply regrettable”.
And a spokesperson for Prince William said “racism has no place in our society”. The incident has overshadowed the Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to the US to hand out awards for his Earthshot Prize.
Ms Fulani was a guest at the reception representing domestic violence charity Sistah Space when she described Lady Hussey moving her hair to see her name badge, and then challenging her repeatedly to explain where she was from.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Fulani described how the conversation unfolded.
“It was like an interrogation. I guess the only way I can explain it, she’s determined: ‘Where are you from? Where are your people from?'”
Ms Fulani also rebuffed suggestions that Lady Hussey’s remarks had anything to do with her age.
