Lady Susan Hussey, a former lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth II, marked her re-emergence in the royal sphere by attending a commemorative event at Buckingham Palace on 21 April 2026, celebrating what would have been the late Queen’s 100th birthday. Hussey, aged 86, had previously stepped away from her official royal duties in late 2022 following serious allegations of making racially insensitive remarks during a palace function.
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At the Buckingham Palace event hosted by King Charles, Queen Camilla, and other prominent members of the royal family, Hussey was seen conversing with Prince Edward, the Duke of Kent. This appearance was notable as it represented one of the few public outings for Hussey since she resigned from her role under the cloud of controversy surrounding her conduct.
The incident that led to Hussey’s departure from royal duties arose during a reception hosted by Queen Camilla aimed at raising awareness of domestic violence during the U.N.’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign in November 2022. Ngozi Fulani, an activist and founder of the charity Sistah Space, shared on social media that Hussey had asked her a series of racially loaded questions about her heritage, including inquiries such as “What nationality are you?” and “Where do your people come from?”
Buckingham Palace responded swiftly to the allegations, stating that a member of the household had resigned in the wake of “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments.” The palace indicated that they took the matter very seriously and were committed to upholding values of diversity and inclusivity within the royal household.
In the wake of the incident, Prince William and Princess Kate issued a statement expressing disappointment over the experience of the guest involved. Their comments reinforced the notion that such comments were wholly unacceptable and outlined the necessity of the departure of the staff member responsible.
Following the uproar, both Hussey and Fulani eventually met to discuss the situation in December 2022. After the meeting, it was reported that Hussey offered her sincere apologies for her comments, emphasising her commitment to educating herself further on issues related to race and sensitivity. Fulani accepted the apology, although she later expressed her views regarding the adequacy of the royal response during a subsequent appearance on television.
Hussey’s initial resignation did not cut ties completely with the royal family. In January 2023, she was seen at a Sunday service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, indicating that, while no longer an official member of the royal household, she remained within the royal social circle. This has been a consistent theme in her subsequent appearances, as she continues to join royal events discreetly.
Since stepping back, Hussey has been quietly integrated back into royal gatherings. She attended various events, including the 2023 Royal Ascot and church services at Sandringham, alongside members of the royal family. Despite the initially tumultuous fallout, her continued appearances suggest a level of acceptance within royal circles.
For Fulani, the past months have been equally transformative. She temporarily stepped down from her role as CEO of Sistah Space amid the aftermath of the incident but has since returned to lead the charity serving women of African and Caribbean heritage affected by domestic abuse. Fulani’s public declarations highlight the ongoing challenges of addressing systemic issues of racism and discrimination, while also advocating for the work done by her organisation.
The trajectory of Hussey’s relationship with the royal family serves as a reminder of the complexities of public service, particularly when sensitive issues arise. It remains to be seen how this relationship will evolve in the coming months, but both Hussey and Fulani have indicated a desire to move forward positively while focusing on the important work of raising awareness around domestic violence and promoting inclusivity within society.
As Lady Susan Hussey navigates her new position outside of a formal role, she continues to draw attention to the necessity of conversations surrounding race and sensitivity, further illuminated by her previous missteps. This ongoing dialogue reflects broader societal changes and challenges faced within various communities, highlighting the need for understanding and cooperation in addressing these sensitive issues.