A Buckingham Palace household member has expressed her apologies and laid down her tools, over some “unacceptable comments” she made to a black British guest at a reception hosted by the Queen Consort, Camilla.
Ngozi Fulani, the founder of a charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, says she was repeatedly asked by the royal aide where she was “really from”, saying that she was asked at the Buckingham Palace event where she was from in Africa. These questions and comments from the royal aide were considered as racist and improper.
Officials of the Buckingham Palace said that, it was going to treat the incident with extreme seriousness. Mandu Reid, an eyewitness to the conversation, told the media present that the questions that were asked by the royal aide to Ms. Fulani were “offensive, racist and unwelcoming”.
According to Ms. Reid, she found it difficult to believe that she was exchanging words with a member of the Royal Household, and this was where Ms. Fulani was “interrogated” about where she hailed from. The interrogation carried on even though Ms. Fulani had clearly explained that she was born and resided in the UK.
Ms. Fulani is the founder of the London-based charity Sistah Space, which gives support to black women who have faced domestic and sexual abuse. Together with 300 other guests, she was invited to a high-profile reception at the Palace on Tuesday 29th November 2022, where the Queen Consort, Camilla, had warned of a “global pandemic of violence against women.”
The Nature of The Interaction
Ms. Fulani disclosed that her interaction with the aide happened after the event and she went on further to describe her conversation on the social media platform, Twitter, where she was challenged by a royal aide to explain where she was from.
Ms. Fulani recounted how she responded to the Royal Aide’s question by telling her that “we’re based in Hackney,” and the aide replied by asking her which part of Africa she was coming from. Ms. Fulani said that she replied the royal aide, telling her that she did not know which part of Africa she came from because her ancestors did not leave any records. According to Ms. Fulani, the royal aide insisted that she[Ms. Fulani] should know where she comes from, and she went on further to inform Ms. Fulani that she spent some time in France. Ms. Fulani said that the aide asked her for her place of origin one more time.
Ms. Fulani said she responded again by saying, “here, UK.” According to her, the aide continued to ask her questions, and she went on to further ask of her nationality. “I am born here and am British,” she answered.
The aide still continued with her interrogation, asking Ms. Fulani where she and her people really came from. Ms. Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, who ended up being part of the conversation mentioned that members of the Royal Household were circulating at the reception and making “chit chat.” According to her, it became a “really unpleasant interaction” when despite Ms. Fulani’s replies there was an insistent questioning about her background.
Ms. Reid said they were shocked and they stood there in silence. She further suggested that, Ms. Fulani deserves an apology and those working at the palace should receive training. Ms. Reid and Sistah Space have decided not to name the royal aide believed to be involved. The Buckingham Palace reached out to Ms. Fulani on the matter and apologized to her.
“In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made. We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and we 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.”
Buckingham Palace
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