The Prince and Princess of Wales’ first overseas trip since the Queen’s death has been overshadowed by controversy at home.
William and Kate arrived in Boston yesterday for a three-day visit ahead of the Earthshot Prize, the prince’s environmental awards ceremony, on Friday.
Hours earlier, the prince’s godmother had resigned from her posts at Buckingham Palace after repeatedly asking a black visitor “where she really came from”.
Ngozi Fulani
Miss Susan Hussey
A Kensington Palace spokesman who spoke to William before he boarded his flight said Lady Susan Hussey’s comments were “unacceptable” and that “racism has no place in our society”.
She added that Lady Hussey, 83, was right to step down from her honorary role as Lady of the Household with immediate effect.
The monarchy has faced allegations of institutional racism since Ngozi Fulani, a British-born head of charity, revealed what had transpired at an event at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Lady Hussey, who served as lady-in-waiting to the Queen for more than 60 years, offered her “profound apologies for the pain this has caused”.
William focused on the Earthshot Prize as he waved to crowds in Boston, saying, “We can’t wait to spend the next few days learning about the innovative ways the people of Massachusetts are tackling climate change.”
The White House has confirmed that the royal couple will meet with Joe Biden, the president, later this week.
Ngozi Fulani (centre left) and the Queen Consort (centre) at the palace on Tuesday
Fulani reacts to resignation
Buckingham Palace said yesterday it was taking the incident “extremely seriously” and described Lady Hussey’s comments as “unacceptable and deeply regrettable”.
Ms Fulani works as an advocate for domestic abuse survivors and described the exchange as a “violation”.
Speaking to LBC, the Sistah Space chief executive said “no one from the building has spoken to me” but would be “happy to have a conversation to arrive at a positive resolution”.
Reflecting further, he said: “To be honest, I wish one could talk to the lady and know the damage she has caused and preferably not be confronted.
“But for her to step down, that has nothing to do with me. I don’t feel good about it. She’s an elder and in my culture we respect elders.
“You need to have conversations with the people concerned so this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.”
Last year, the Duchess of Sussex said a member of the royal family raised questions about the skin color her son Archie would have had before he was born.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Hussey “interrogated” Fulani – witness
Royals must ‘step up’
Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, who stood next to Ms Fulani and witnessed the exchange, said she was “stunned”.
“It was really uncomfortable. If Ngozi was a white woman, there’s no way that line of questioning would have taken place. It’s not what you expect,” she told Sky News.
“We weren’t gate barkers, but we almost felt like intruders.”
Asked if she was reassured by Lady Hussey stepping down and apologizing, she said no and that the royals need to “step up” and acknowledge that “institutional racism is part of the culture.”
