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Lady Susan Hussey, a long-standing royal courtier who served on the late Queen Elizabeth II's staff for over 50 years, resigned from the new role recently handed to her by King Charles III after she reportedly asked a Black woman repeatedly where her "people come from" during a recent royal reception.
British charity boss Ngozi Fulani, the chief executive of Sistah Space, took to social media on Thursday to express her disappointment over a conversation with a courtier identified as "Lady SH," during a Buckingham Palace reception raising awareness of violence against women and girls.
The reception was hosted by Queen Consort Camilla alongside a number of international royals and members of the British royal household.
After Fulani's post—which detailed an account of the racially insensitive conversation—went viral, Buckingham Palace released a swift statement reading:
"We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.
"We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
"In the meantime, the individual concerned would like to express her profound apologies for the hurt caused and has stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.
"All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times."
Hussey was recently appointed to the honorary position of "Lady of the Household" by King Charles in recognition of her service to his late mother. The role would have seen Hussey called upon to assist in hosting palace functions such as the event attended by Fulani.
Who is Lady Susan Hussey?
Lady Susan Hussey, the aristocratic daughter of Earl Waldegrave, was born in 1939.
After a privileged upbringing at the heart of British high society, she married World War II veteran Marmaduke Hussey, who in 1986 was appointed the chairman of the BBC, Britain's national broadcaster. She was widowed in 2006.
Hussey was appointed a Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II in 1960. This ceremonial role saw her accompany the monarch on official engagements including the State Opening of Parliament and handling her royal correspondence.
Hussey became a close member of the royal household and formed strong links with members of the royal family too. She is reported to have formed a close bond with the then-Prince Charles during the 1960s and 70s, so close that in 1982 when the royal's first son, Prince William, was born she was asked to be his godmother.
The courtier accompanied the queen in the car to Prince Philip's April 2021 funeral during the COVID pandemic, and she had a prominent place at the monarch's own Westminster Abbey funeral in September 2022.
She was affectionately known by the queen during her lifetime as the "number one head girl."
Hussey has remained, up until now, a relatively unknown figure in the orbit of the royals. She previously came into public consciousness in July when a bombshell royal biography claimed she had spoken negatively about the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Author Tom Bower wrote in Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors, released in July, that the courtier had given a less than favorable view of the couple's 2017 engagement.
"In London, Lady Susan Hussey had shortly before [New Year] enjoyed lunch with a group of theatre executives and directors," he wrote. "While discussing the possibility that Meghan might become associated with the National Theatre after the wedding, Hussey became unexpectedly serious about the couple's future.
"'That will all end in tears,'" warned Hussey. 'Mark my words.'"
Hussey, according to Bower, was also dispatched by the queen to meet with Meghan at Kensington Palace in order to "offer help and advice" on assimilating into the royal family.
A the time, neither Hussey nor Buckingham Palace responded to the book's claims.
Hussey's links to the royal household do not end with her resignation. It was previously announced that the courtier's daughter, Lady Katherine Brooke, has been appointed one of Camilla's "Queen's Companions."
This new role differs from that of a lady in waiting, in that its members will be required to serve on a less frequent basis but will still be visible at a number of royal events.
There is no suggestion that Brooke will stand down from her role also.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more