Ngozi Fulani, born in the UK, was persistently asked where she was "really" from


Lady Hussey, 83, was part of the inner circle of royal aides for decades

The late Queen's lady-in-waiting, Lady Susan Hussey, has apologized and resigned after repeatedly asking the black head of a British charity where he was "really" from.

Ngozi Fulani, the charity's founder, was asked about her background at a charity event at the palace on Tuesday.

Ms Fulani said she was "absolutely stunned" by Prince William's godfather's comments.

The palace described the remarks as "unacceptable and deeply regrettable".

A spokesman for Prince William said "racism has no place in our society".

"The comments were unacceptable and it is right that the individual has stepped down with immediate effect," they said.

Lady Hussey, 83, was a close confidant of the late Queen and accompanied her to the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral last year.

She has been a key and trusted figure in the royal household for decades, and part of her latest role has been helping organize events at Buckingham Palace.

'Shocked'
Speaking to the Independent website, Ms Fulani said the problem was "bigger than one individual. It's institutional racism".

"I was in shock after it happened and anyone who knows me knows I don't take that kind of nonsense," she said.

"But there were so many things I had to consider. As a black man, I found myself in this place where I wanted to say something, but what happened would automatically be considered my fault, it would bring down [my charity] Sistah Space.

"It would be 'oh, she's got a chip on their shoulder'."

Ms Fulani said she did not want to see Lady Hussey "disgraced".

An eyewitness to the interview, Mandu Reid, told BBC News that Lady Hussey's questions were "offensive, racist and unwelcome".

The leader of the Women's Equality Party said she had a "feeling of disbelief" about the exchange in which Ms Fulani was questioned about where she was from, even though she had already explained that she was born and lived in the UK.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have immediately investigated it to establish the full details.

"The remarks made in this case are unacceptable and deeply regrettable. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter and invite her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes to do so."

“In the meantime, the person concerned would like to deeply apologize for the harm caused and resign from their honorary role with immediate effect.

"All household members are reminded of the Diversity and Inclusion Policy, which they are required to adhere to at all times."
Ms Fulani was at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday representing London-based charity Sistah Space, which supports women of African and Caribbean descent across the UK who have faced domestic and sexual abuse.

Along with 300 guests, she was invited to the event where Queen Consort Camilla warned of a "global pandemic of violence against women".

Ms Fulani was at a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday representing London-based charity Sistah Space, which supports women of African and Caribbean descent across the UK who have faced domestic and sexual abuse.

Along with 300 guests, she was invited to the event where Queen Consort Camilla warned of a "global pandemic of violence against women".

But Ms Fulani then took to Twitter to describe how the royal aide brushed back her hair to see her name tag, then challenged her to explain where she was from.

Mrs Fulani referred to the palace aide only as “Lady SH” in the post.

But Ms Reid confirmed to BBC News that the person who made the comments was Lady Susan Hussey, who had seen her name tag. Neither Buckingham Palace nor the charity named her.

BBC News has approached Lady Hussey for comment through Buckingham Palace.