Harry expressed his delight at Lady Susan Hussey and Ngozi Fulani’s reconciliation over their racism row – as he used his TV interview to say he wants his relatives to be accountable.
The Duke of Sussex shared his thoughts during his 90-minute discussion with ITV presenter and old friend Tom Bradby ahead of the release of his memoir ‘Spare’ on Tuesday.
The Duke of Sussex said the reaction to the November incident between Lady Susan Hussey and Ngozi Fulani was “appalling”.
Lady Susan Hussey, 83, godmother to Prince William and one of Queen Consort Camilla’s closest associates, resigned from her volunteer post at Buckingham Palace after asking Ms Fulani where she was from.
The Duke of Sussex had his say during his 90-minute discussion with ITV presenter and old friend Tom Bradby
Prince Harry expressed his delight at Lady Susan Hussey and Ngozi Fulani’s reconciliation over their racism row. Pictured together December 16th
However, she met with Ms Fulani in December to apologize.
The Duke told Tom Bradby: “All we’ve ever asked for in the last few years – certainly the last few years – is some accountability.
“And I am delighted that Ngozi Fulani has been invited to the Palace to sit down and reconcile with Lady Susan Hussey, because Meghan and I love Susan Hussey. (Meghan) thinks she’s great.
“And I know what she meant too – she never meant anything bad.
“But the reaction from the British press and people on the internet to the stories they wrote has been appalling.”
His support contrasts with his brother Prince William, whose spokesman condemned Lady Susan’s comments after the uproar as “unacceptable”.
The Duke also expressed his belief that the royal family also avoided accountability “in many ways”.
Speaking about what he wants from his family and his book, Harry told Bradby: “I want reconciliation, but first there has to be some accountability. You can’t just keep telling me that I’m insane and paranoid when all the evidence comes together because I was genuinely afraid of what was going to happen to me.
Ms Fulani shared this transcript of the alleged incident but said the rest of the event was “out of focus”.
Lady Hussey, the former Queen’s Maid of Honor, is said to have asked Sistah Space founder Ngozi Fulani, “What part of Africa are you from?” at an event at the castle on November 29.
The 83-year-old, who served the late Queen for six decades, resigned from her volunteer post “effective immediately” after Miss Fulani tweeted about her experience at the event.
Miss Fulani said she felt “hurt” after Prince William’s godmother, who served as the late Queen’s right-hand man for 62 years, “interrogated” her where she was from at a reception at the palace, although she made it clear that she is British .
She also accused Lady Susan of moving her hair to look at her name tag, asking her “What part of Africa are you from?” when she replied that she was from Hackney.
It wasn’t until the domestic violence activist said she was of Caribbean descent and African descent that Lady Hussey stopped and said, “I knew we were going to get there in the end.”
Ms Fulani, 57, later posted a transcript of the exchange on social media, prompting an angry outcry and prompting Lady Susan to resign from her post.
In December, Lady Susan met with the activist to express her “sincere apologies,” which Ms. Fulani accepted.
Camilla, the Queen Consort, centre, attended the reception to raise awareness of violence against women and girls where comments were made to Ngozi Fulani (circled in red).
Lady Susan Hussey (right), 83, godmother to Prince William and one of Queen Consort Camilla’s closest associates, resigned from her volunteering post at Buckingham Palace after asking Ms Fulani (centre, left image) where she was from
The Palace said shortly after the meeting: “At this meeting, which was filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan sincerely apologized for the comments made and the distress they caused Ms. Fulani.
“Lady Susan has pledged to increase her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.
“Ms. Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling spate of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.
“Both Ms. Fulani and Lady Susan are now asking that they be left alone to rebuild their lives after what has been an immensely trying time for both of them.
“They hope their example will show a path to solution that can be found through kindness, cooperation and condemning discrimination wherever it takes root.
“It is the wish of both parties that at the end of the 16 days of UN Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now be returned to the important work of Sistah Space in support of women affected by domestic violence.
“Their Majesties the King and Queen and other members of the Royal Family have been fully briefed and are delighted that both parties have achieved this welcome outcome.”
Miss Fulani previously described her ordeal at Buckingham Palace as a “form of abuse”.
She also said Lady Susan moved her dreadlocks during the exchange so she could read her name tag.
“You can’t do that,” Miss Fulani said. “I wouldn’t put my hands in someone’s hair and it’s not culturally appropriate.”
Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by her maid of honor, Lady Susan Hussey, in 2012
She added, “While I haven’t experienced any physical violence, I do feel like I experienced some form of abuse.”
The palace said it took the incident very seriously and immediately began investigating.
Harry also said he would not call statements about Archie’s skin color allegedly made by an unnamed family member racist after the bombshell allegation was made during the Sussexes’ interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey last March.
Harry told Tom Bradby, “You talk to every other multiracial couple in the world, and you’ll probably find that the white side of the family has either been open about it or secretly talked about what the kids are going to look like?”.
“And that’s part of a larger conversation that needs to be had.
He added: “The difference between racism and unconscious bias, the two things are different.
“But once acknowledged or pointed out to you as an individual or institution that you have unconscious biases, you have an opportunity to learn and grow from them so that you are part of the solution rather than part of the problem.”
When asked why he didn’t identify the affected family member, Harry said, “I’ll never talk about it.”