Buckingham Palace Issues Apology Over Racist Remark At Activist During Reception

After making racist comments to a British charity boss at a reception held by Queen Consort Camilla, a member of the British Royal Family's staff has resigned.

In a statement on Wednesday, Buckingham Palace said that “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made” by the staff member. She later apologized and stepped aside, reported Al Jazeera.

Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space, said that during the event on Tuesday, she was asked by the Buckingham Palace household member where she “really came from.” The advocate for survivors of domestic abuse described the exchange with “Lady SH” as a “violation." Fulani, who is Black, tweeted that the woman “approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge,” and then insisted on asking her what part of Africa she hailed from.

Fulani said that she is British, but the staff member still insisted her to reveal details of her origin. The palace said in a statement that they take the incident "extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details." It added that it had reached out to her and was inviting her to talk to her about her experience in person.

A spokesperson for Prince William also said that "racism has no place in our society," and that the "comments were unacceptable." The spokesperson added that it is right that the person "has stepped aside with immediate effect."

The staff member, Lady Susan Hussey, was a close confidante of late Queen Elizabeth, and part of her latest role had involved helping to host occasions at Buckingham Palace, reported BBC.

Meanwhile, during Prince William and Princess Kate's Boston visit on Wednesday, Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Boston's Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, spoke about the "legacy of colonialism and racism." She said that she invited "us all to consider the legacy of colonialism and racism," reported Page Six. She spoke about the ways "it has impacted people across the world and its connection, its deep connection to the degradation of land and our planet that we are all seeking to reverse." Her speech came just hours after the royal racism scandal erupted in the UK.