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Who is Lady Susan Hussey, Queen Elizabeth II’s long standing confidant at centre of racism row?

Lady Susan Hussey, who has left Buckingham Palace after allegations of racism towards a guest, has a long history of service with the Royal Family.

Lady Susan was a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth II for over sixty years and remained one of her closest confidantes. She acted as Woman of the Bedchamber between 1960 and 2022.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Lady Susan was appointed as the King’s Lady of the Household by Charles III. She resigned that position with immediate effect on November 30th 2022 after claims she had persistently questioned Ngozi Fulani about her nationality, asking ‘’where do you really come from, where are your people from?’’

Lady Susan Katherine Waldegrave was born on May 1st 1939, the daughter of Geoffrey, the 12th Earl Waldegrave and Mary Hermione Grenfell. Her brother became Earl Waldegrave on their father’s death in 1995.

Susan Waldegrave married Marmaduke Hussey in 1959 and they had two children, James and Katherine. Her husband became Chairman of the BBC in 1986 but found himself mired in controversy in 1995 when Diana, Princess of Wales gave her now infamous interview to Martin Bashir which was broadcast by the Corporation.

Lady Susan’s bond with the Royal Family continued. She had been made a godmother to Prince William in 1982. Such was her closeness to the family that Her Late Majesty asked Lady Susan to accompany her on the drive to the funeral of Prince Philip in April 2021.

However, she stepped aside after a conversation with Ngozi Fulani at a reception at Buckingham Palace. Ms Fulani reported that Lady Susan had pushed her hair aside to see her name badge and repeatedly asked her where she came from. Buckingham Palace said the remarks were “unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments’’. Lady Susan apologised for ‘’the hurt caused.’’

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.