Ngozi Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey. PA / Getty
Ngozi Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey. PA / Getty
Ngozi Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey. PA / Getty
Ngozi Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey. PA / Getty

Ngozi Fulani: Charity boss claims she's had ‘horrific’ abuse after palace incident


Soraya Ebrahimi
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Ngozi Fulani, who was asked where she “really came from” at a Buckingham Palace royal reception, said she has suffered “horrific abuse” on social media.

The founder of the charity Sistah Space expressed shock at her treatment by the late queen’s lady in waiting, Lady Susan Hussey.

Her family has been under “immense pressure”, she said, but had been “heartened” by messages of support since the incident.

“The last week has been an extremely difficult time for us all at Sistah Space," Ms Fulani said on Monday.

“My team, family and I have been put under immense pressure and received some horrific abuse via social media.

“Yet throughout this time I have been heartened by the huge amount of support we have received.

“I want to thank everyone for that, and it has shown me that love will always triumph over hate.”

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    Samurai armour from the 1600s is among one of the most impressive collections of Japanese artefacts and art in the West at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Royal Collections Trust
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    Valued at £2 million, the Twopenny Mauritian Blue stamp is the centrepiece of the Royal Philatelic Collection. Getty Images
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    The Mosaic Egg by Faberge features the cameo images of the Romanov children. Photo: Royal Collections Trust
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    The Telegraph Room of Buckingham Palace Post Office. Shutterstock
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    The Eardley Norton astronomical clock used state-of-the-art technology from the 1700s. Photo: Royal Collections Trust
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    Prince Charles has touted plans to turn more of Buckingham Palace into a museum when he becomes king. Wikicommons, Royal Collections Trust

Lady Susan, the Prince of Wales’s 83-year-old godmother, resigned from the household and apologised after she repeatedly challenged Ms Fulani when she said she was British at Queen Consort Camilla’s reception highlighting violence against women and girls.

“Although I didn’t experience physical violence, what I feel I experienced was a form of abuse," Ms Fulani told ITV.

Asked if the palace had contacted her through her organisation, she said: “No. I don’t know where this has come from but I’m telling you categorically — we have not heard from the palace.

"I was stood next to two other women — black women — and she [Lady Susan] just made a beeline for me and she took my locks and moved it out of the way so that she could see my name badge.

“That’s a no-no. I wouldn’t put my hands in someone’s hair and culturally it’s not appropriate.”

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    Members of the public watch the Band of the Coldstream Guards marching during the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. PA
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    The event, one of the UK capital's top tourist attractions, had not been held since March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Getty Images
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    A tourist takes pictures during the Changing the Guard ceremony. AP Photo
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    Soldiers from the Coldstream Guards march from their London barracks to the home of Queen Elizabeth II to mount the guard, as scores of spectators watch and take pictures. AP Photo
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    A military band plays tunes saluting British success at the Tokyo Olympics, including the theme from “Chariots of Fire” and Spandau Ballet’s “Gold”. AP Photo
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    Crowds gather to watch the return of the Changing the Guard ceremony. PA
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    British soldiers in scarlet tunics and bearskin hats parade outside Buckingham Palace. PA
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    Soldiers have maintained sentry duty outside royal residences during the pandemic, but the ceremonial changeover was not held. Reuters
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    Tourists take a selfie in front of the Changing the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace. AP Photo

Ms Fulani said the comments came from racism, not Lady Susan’s age.

“I’ve heard so many suggestions it’s about her age and stuff like that, and I think that’s a kind of a disrespect about ageism,” she told BBC Radio 4.

“Are we saying that because of your age you can’t be racist or you can’t be inappropriate?

“If you invite people to an event, as I said, against domestic abuse, and there are people there from different demographics, I don’t see the relevance of whether I’m British or not British.

"You’re trying to make me unwelcome in my own space.”

She said in a ststement: “It has been an emotional whirlwind and we now wish to take the time to pause, reflect and learn from these events.”

Updated: December 06, 2022, 9:38 AM