BBC "Controversial Comment Figure is Prince William's Godmother Susan Hussey"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A close aide to the late Queen Elizabeth II resigned after making a racist remark at a royal event.
The British royal family announced on the 30th (local time) that an employee made an unacceptable remark, apologized, and immediately stepped down. The royal family stated, "We take this matter extremely seriously and have launched a full investigation," adding, "All staff have been reminded of the policies on diversity and inclusion."
Ngozi Fulani, head of 'Sista Space,' an organization that helps African and Caribbean women victims of domestic violence, claimed on Twitter after attending a Buckingham Palace event the previous day that a royal staff member named 'Lady SH' interrogated her by asking, "Where are you really from?" Fulani said she told the staff member that she was British, born in the UK, and that the organization is based in London, but the staff member kept asking which part of Africa she was from.
According to Fulani, 'Lady SH' lifted her hair to check her name tag and then repeated the same question. A witness to the conversation told the BBC that the questions Fulani received were rude and racist.
On the same day, the BBC and others reported that 'Lady SH,' who made the problematic remarks, is Susan Hussey (83), who served as a very close aide to Queen Elizabeth II for decades and is also one of Prince William's godmothers. Hussey, who has worked for the royal family since 1960, was a senior aide trusted by the Queen and was known as the 'No.1 head girl.'
The British royal family, which had faced difficulties following the revelations by Prince Harry and his wife, is sensitive to issues of racism. Prince Harry's wife, Duchess Markle, claimed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March last year that when their son Archie was born, members of the royal family were concerned about his dark skin color and did not want him to be a prince. Prince Harry also responded to questions about whether he left the UK due to racism by saying, "Yes. If the royal family had acknowledged the racism against Markle, things would have been very different."
Subsequently, the royal family issued a statement saying, "This will be treated very seriously and handled privately within the family."
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