US media seizes on Lady Susan Hussey Royal race-row during Kate Middleton and ... trends now

US media seizes on Lady Susan Hussey Royal race-row during Kate Middleton and ... trends now
US media seizes on Lady Susan Hussey Royal race-row during Kate Middleton and ... trends now

US media seizes on Lady Susan Hussey Royal race-row during Kate Middleton and ... trends now

The first overseas trip by the Prince and Princess of Wales since the death of the Queen recieved a tepid reaction in the US media, and was overshadowed by another royal race controversy which saw critics accuse the Royal Family of 'slow walking'.

On Wednesday, Prince William and Princess Kate kicked off their three-day visit to Boston focused on William's Earthshot Prize initiative to find the environmental entrepreneurs of a new generation. But as they did so, trouble was brewing at home.

On the same day, a lady in waiting to the late Queen apologized and resigned over allegations that she asked Ngozi Fulani - prominent Black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse - where she 'really came from,' despite her repeated insistence she was a British-born national.

The woman who made the remarks was identified as Lady Susan Hussey, who served the monarch for more than 60 years. She is also a godmother to William.

Pictured: The New York Times's story on the royal race row on Wednesday. The newspaper analysed Buckingham Palace's response to the accusation against Lady Susan Hussey, and her swift resignation - which it said was to avoid the fallout overshadowing the Prince and Princess of Wales and their first trip overseas since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September

Pictured: The New York Times's story on the royal race row on Wednesday. The newspaper analysed Buckingham Palace's response to the accusation against Lady Susan Hussey, and her swift resignation - which it said was to avoid the fallout overshadowing the Prince and Princess of Wales and their first trip overseas since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September

Ngozi Fulani (pictured centre at Buckingham Palace yesterday), director of the east London charity Sistah Space, claims a royal aide asked her: 'What part of Africa are you from?'

Ngozi Fulani claims royal aide, believed to be Lady Susan Hussey, asked her: 'What part of Africa are you from?'

Ngozi Fulani (pictured left, centre at Buckingham Palace yesterday), director of the east London charity Sistah Space, claims royal aide, believed to be Lady Susan Hussey (pictured right), asked her: 'What part of Africa are you from?'

With several US media outlets primed to cover William and Kate's visit, it was impossible to ignore yet another royal race controversy - which comes after racism claims from William's brother Harry and mixed-race sister-in-law, Meghan.

All major US news networks - including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox News - carried the story, as did some of the countries major newspapers, including the New York Times and the Washington Post - and online outlet The Daily Best.

And while the Boston Globe's homepage on Thursday morning was awash with images of William and Kate's visit to the city, other outlets covered their arrival less enthusiastically, choosing to delve into dramatic details about the race row.

In an NBC report, William and Kate were said to be 'reintroducing themselves to America as Prince and Princess of Wales' after their last visit in 2014, when the couple were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But as they did so, the report said, 'a new racism row back home threatens the reputation of the Royal Family.'

The couple were showed arriving to cheering crowds in footage from Boston. 

But the network then heard from an eyewitness to the conversation between Fulani and Lady Susan Hussey. Mandu Reid – the leader of the British Women's Equality Party - described her 'shock' at the exchange. 'If Ngozi was a white woman, that line of questioning wouldn't have taken place,' Reid told the network.

NBC's correspondent in Boston said that William and Kate will be 'hoping that all of this doesn't overshadow their visit here'.

The network then recalled the royal couple's visit to the Caribbean earlier this year, which saw William and Kate arrive in a white Land Rover, and 'shaking hands with young people of colour through a wire fence'.

They were criticised at the time for the 'colonial-era' optics of their tour.

Last year, William was forced to insist 'we are very much not a racist family', after Harry and Meghan - who have won many fans among younger people and in the Black community for taking on the British establishment - alleged that an unidentified royal had asked what color skin their baby would have.

With the previous claim being made by the royal couple during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the new controversy involving 83-year-old Lady Hussey comes when the last racist accusations are still fresh in the minds of the US audience.

In an NBC report (pictured) , William and Kate were said to be 'reintroducing themselves to America as Prince and Princess of Wales' after their last visit in 2014, when the couple were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But as they did so, the report said, 'a new racism row back home threatens the reputation of the Royal Family'

In an NBC report (pictured) , William and Kate were said to be 'reintroducing themselves to America as Prince and Princess of Wales' after their last visit in 2014, when the couple were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But as they did so, the report said, 'a new racism row back home threatens the reputation of the Royal Family'

William was forced to insist 'we are very much not a racist family', after Harry and Meghan - who have won many fans among younger people and in the Black community for taking on the British establishment - alleged that an unidentified royal had asked what color skin their baby would have during an interview with Oprah Winfrey

William was forced to insist 'we are very much not a racist family', after Harry and Meghan - who have won many fans among younger people and in the Black community for taking on the British establishment - alleged that an unidentified royal had asked what color skin their baby would have during an interview with Oprah Winfrey

Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge came under fire over the optics of this engagement in Trench Town, where they were seen shaking the hands of young people of colour through a wire fence

Pictured: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge came under fire over the optics of this engagement in Trench Town, where they were seen shaking the hands of young people of colour through a wire fence

The New York Times analysed Buckingham Palace's response to the accusation against Lady Susan Hussey, and her swift resignation.

Buckingham Palace said it took the incident 'extremely seriously' and called the comments 'unacceptable and deeply regrettable.' '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.' it added.

The 'swift' statement and 'strong language', the New York Times said, suggested King Charles was eager to show the institution would be taking a zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour perceived to be racist.

'It also seemed calculated to avoid having the incident overshadow a trip to the United States this week by Prince William, the king's elder son and heir,' the New York Times wrote in its report on the incident on Wednesday.

The fallout echoed Meghan's accusations of racism during the televised interview with Oprah, the New York Times said. At the time, the newspaper noted, the palace came out with a more 'muted' statement, calling the allegations 'concerning'.

Former royal correspondent for the BBC Peter Hunt was quoted by the newspaper. He said the statement made by Buckingham Palace this time 'is exactly what they needed to do - at speed,' adding it was important the royal family showed it was acting like 'a modern corporation and not an ancient institution.'

The NYT also quoted Mandu Reid, who called the comments - made during a reception attended by 300 guests - 'offensive, racist, and unwelcoming' on the BBC.

The Washington Post, meanwhile, noted that William and Kate's trip to Boston is all about trying to showcase the younger face of the royal family - and not 'the last remnants of a dying institution'.

Pictured: The Washington Post noted that William and Kate's trip to Boston is all about trying to showcase the younger face of the royal family

Pictured: The Washington Post noted that William and Kate's trip to Boston is all about trying to showcase the younger face of the royal family

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