Buckingham Palace has reached out to the black charity founder who said she was questioned about her ethnicity by one of the late Queen's close friends, it is reported.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, resigned yesterday as an honorary member of the royal household after Ngozi Fulani said she was repeatedly asked where she "really came from" during the Queen Consort Camilla's reception on violence against women.
Ms Fulani, who runs a black women's domestic abuse organisation, said that she was asked: "What part of Africa are you from?"
In a statement shortly afterwards, Buckingham Palace said it had reached out to Fulani and "invited her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes".
But the charity operator earlier insisted this was not the case, telling ITV's Good Morning Britain: "I don't know where this is coming from but I'm telling you categorically we have not heard from the Palace."
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PA)She has now had a "direct discussion" with the Palace, it is reported, and "working out how to move forward".
ITV's Chris Ship said: "On this issue about whether Buckingham Palace has reached out to Ngozi Fulani, I hear a direct discussion has now taken place between both sides.
"They are now working out how to move forward after this week’s events."
The chief executive of Sistah Space, an East London refuge that provides specialist support for women of African and Caribbean heritage, first detailed her exchange with the royal household member in a Twitter post.
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)Ms Fulani said that when she told the woman she was from East London, she responded, "No, what part of Africa are you from?"
She also allegedly said: "I can see I am going to have a challenge getting you to say where you're from. When did you first come here?"
Ms Fulani said she later replied: "I am a British national, my parents came here in the 1950s," before Hussey responded with: "Oh, I knew we'd get there in the end, you're Caribbean."
Ngozi said she then corrected the aristocrat by responding with: "No, I am of African heritage, Caribbean descent, and British nationality."
Image:
Twitter/Sistah_Space)Image:
Getty Images)It added: "We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details.
"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.
Image:
Getty Images)"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."
Lady Hussey served as the late Queen Elizabeth II's lady-in-waiting for more than 60 years and is Prince William's godmother.
In a statement, William's Kensington Palace office said: "Racism has no place in our society.
