KEY POINTS
- The royal aide repeatedly asked the woman: "What part of Africa are you from?".
- A spokesperson said the comments were "unacceptable and deeply regrettable".
- The incident is the latest to embroil the royal family in allegations of racism.
A member of the British royal family's household has left her role after making "unacceptable and deeply regrettable" comments about race and citizenship to a woman at a grand reception at Buckingham Palace, a spokesperson says.
Ngozi Fulani, who was born in the United Kingdom and works for a domestic abuse support group, wrote on Twitter that the royal aide had repeatedly asked her: "What part of Africa are you from?" when she attended an event hosted by King Charles' wife Camilla, the Queen consort, on Tuesday.
"We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said in a statement.
Queen Consort Camilla hosted the reception to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. Source: AAP / Kin Cheung
Neither Fulani nor the palace identified the aide in question, with the spokesperson saying the individual would not be offering any comment.
United Kingdom media said it was Lady Susan Hussey, the 83-year-old godmother of Prince William.
Prince William's spokesperson said he was really disappointed to hear about the incident.
"Obviously, I wasn't there but racism has no place in our society," the spokesperson said.
"The comments were unacceptable, and it is right that the individual has stepped aside with immediate effect."
The incident is the latest to embroil the royal family in allegations of racism, after the King's youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle made accusations in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
Meghan, in the interview, said one unnamed member of the family .
The exchange is said to have occurred at a 'Violence Against Women And Girls’ reception at the palace. Source: AAP / Kin Cheung
The exchange occurred at a Violence Against Women And Girls' reception at the palace, where guests included Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska, Belgium's Queen Mathilde and Jordan's Queen Rania.
In her account posted on Twitter, Fulani, who works for Sistah Space - a group that provides support for women of African and Caribbean heritage who have been affected by abuse - said about 10 minutes after she arrived, the aide approached her and moved her hair to view her name badge.
After being asked a number of times what part of Africa she was from, Fulani said she replied: "I am born here and am British."
The aide responded: "No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?"
Last year, a senior royal source said Buckingham Palace had not done enough on diversity although it has been endeavouring to boost the number of staff from ethnic minorities.
"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," the palace spokesperson said.
"All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times."
