'This is less about saving the earth and more about saving the royal family': American media seizes on race-row during first day of Kate and Wills' US tour as critics accuse royals of 'slow-walking racism out of the royal household'

  • William and Kate kicked off their three-day visit to Boston on Wednesday
  • But what they hoped would be an opportunity to present the royal family as a modern institution was overshadowed by a developing race controversy at home
  • US media seized on the row, which saw aide Lady Susan Hussey resign

American media seized on the royal race row engulfing Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, which threatened to overshadow the Prince and Princess of Wales's visit to Boston - their first overseas trip since the death of the Queen.

Critics, such as the Daily Beast, accused the Royal Family of 'slow walking' on the issue of race while others - including the New York Times and The Washington Post - drew parallels between Harry and Meghan's race accusations last year.

The fallout came after a lady in waiting to the late Queen on Wednesday apologized and resigned over allegations that she asked Ngozi Fulani - a 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?'

On the same day, 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. 

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 Beast.

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.

It its headline, The Daily Beast asked: 'Prince William Says Racism Has ‘No Place in Society.’ What About His Own Family?'.

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'

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

The Daily Beast said 'nobody should be surprised' that Buckingham Palace 'has yet to purge itself of people like Lady Susan Hussey'

The Daily Beast said 'nobody should be surprised' that Buckingham Palace 'has yet to purge itself of people like Lady Susan Hussey'

Pictured: CNN covers the news that Lady Susan Hussey apologized and resigned over allegations that she asked Ngozi Fulani (pictured) where she 'really came from'

Pictured: CNN covers the news that Lady Susan Hussey apologized and resigned over allegations that she asked Ngozi Fulani (pictured) where she 'really came from'

Pictured: Fox News reports on the royal race controversy

Pictured: Fox News reports on the royal race controversy

Pictured: ABC News reports on the racism row as William and Kate do the rounds Boston

Pictured: ABC News reports on the racism row as William and Kate do the rounds Boston

Pictured: The homepage of the Boston Globe on Thursday morning, which was awash with news of the royal couple's visit to the city

Pictured: The homepage of the Boston Globe on Thursday morning, which was awash with news of the royal couple's visit to the city

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'.

Instead, they hope Americans will see a younger monarchy that is intent tackling important issues as it seeks to remain relevant in modern, multicultural Britain.

But with race very much a hot-button issue among younger people in Britain and the United States alike, another accusation of racism against someone close to the family and within The Firm's inner circle will not have helped their cause.

Their three-day visit to Boston is focused on Prince William's initiative to find the environmental entrepreneurs of a new generation, supplemented with trips to an anti-poverty program, child development researchers and local flood defenses.

The Washington Post quoted Boston University professor Arianne Chernock, an expert in modern British history, who said: 'I think this is less about saving the Earth and more about saving the royal family.

'To be honest, we've seen Charles as king and his first months in that position trying to feel his way, find his way towards being a more relevant, more modern monarch. And I think we see something similar happening with William and Kate,' she said.

The Daily Beast was even more critical of the royal family. The online publication said 'nobody should be surprised' that Buckingham Palace 'has yet to purge itself of people like Lady Susan Hussey' who had caused a 'firestorm' with her comments - and accused the royals of 'slow-walking' their effort to deal with racism.

Pictured: The Prince of Wales looked to be having a fun-filled evening as he cheered on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, with his wife flashing him a smile at one point during the game

Pictured: The Prince of Wales looked to be having a fun-filled evening as he cheered on the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, with his wife flashing him a smile at one point during the game

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)

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, Jamaica, 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, Jamaica, where they were seen shaking the hands of young people of colour through a wire fence (pictured)

It described Lady Hussey's conversation with Fulani as being 'a lot like an interrogation by an impatient immigration officer, demanding to know her African origins.'

Asked where she was from, Ms Fulani told her: Hackney (a borough found in northeast London). This prompted the woman whom she identified only as 'Lady SH' to ask: 'No, what part of Africa are you from?'

Fulani said she was born and raised in the UK and was British, but the woman persisted. 'Where do you really come from, where do your people come from?... When did you first come here?' she was asked.

Fulani repeated that she was a British national born in the UK and was forced to say she was 'of African heritage, Caribbean descent.'

The Daily Beast said that the 'scandal raged' as William and Kate arrived on US soil. As with their tour of the Caribbean, criticism was 'politely' made to their faced.

The publication reported on an awkward moment that took place during the Earthshot launch - just hours before William and Kate attended a Boston Celtics game.

As the Prince and Princess Wales watched on from the wings at the event, Reverend Hammond, who founded a youth organization focused on 'teaching the history of the Civil Rights Movement', said: 'On this day, I invite us all to consider the legacy of colonialism and racism.

'The ways it has impacted people across the world and its connection, its deep connection to the degradation of land and our planet that we are all seeking to reverse,' she said.

'The stories lost, the species made extinct, but also the persistence of people in the face of oppression and the fundamental dignity of all of our relations.'

Although no mention was made about Lady Susan Hussey, few could fail to connect the controversy with Reverend White-Hammond's remarks and the crisis at home.

The Daily Beast also reported that the couple recieved a 'mixed reaction' at Wednesday night's basketball match, where they were both cheered and booed.

This, the publication said, was in stark contrast to comments by Kerry Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy's daughter and president of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation - who praised Prince Harry and Meghan for their 'heroic' stance against the 'structural racism' of the British royal family.

'They went to the oldest institution in U.K. history and told them what they were doing wrong, that they couldn't have structural racism within the institution; that they could not maintain a misunderstanding about mental health,' she told Vanitatis magazine - and was quoted by The Daily Beast.

William said during the visit that he chose to hold the second Earthshot Prize in Boston partly because it's the home turf of the President John F. Kennedy, whose 1962 speech set the audacious goal of putting men on the moon within the decade.

'It was that moonshot speech that inspired me to launch the Earthshot Prize with the aim of doing the same for climate change as President Kennedy did for the space race. And where better to hold this year's awards ceremony than in President Kennedy's hometown,' William said.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, centre, attends a reception to raise awareness of violence against women and girls on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace, where one of her ladies of the household made 'unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments' to Ngozi Fulani (circled in red)

Camilla, the Queen Consort, centre, attends a reception to raise awareness of violence against women and girls on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace, where one of her ladies of the household made 'unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments' to Ngozi Fulani (circled in red)

It wasn't all bad news for the royal couple, however. As of Thursday morning, the Boston Globe had at least three stories about their visit to the city on the front page - and news about their visit was also carried on the homepages of several networks.

The trip is the royal couple's first one overseas since the 40-year-old William became heir to the throne in September, when his father succeeded queen Elizabeth II to become King Charles III after her death in September.

They last visited the United States in 2014 when they went to New York and Washington, in a trip that included a reception at the White House with the then-president Barack Obama and his deputy, Joe Biden.

The White House said Biden will meet the royal couple on Friday.

It is also their first trip stateside since Harry and Meghan sensationally quit the royal family in early 2020. No meeting has been announced between the brothers.

The visit will culminate on Friday evening with a star-studded ceremony for William's Earthshot Prize. The awards ceremony - described by royal insiders as William's 'Superbowl moment' - is now in its second year, and rewards five innovators with £1 million each ($1.2 million).

A host of stars are expected at Boston's MGM Music Hall, including singers Billie Eilish and Annie Lennox, sisters Chloe x Halle, and actor Rami Malek.

Other engagements include discussions with local officials about rising sea levels in the city on the North Atlantic coast.

They will also meet charities working with disadvantaged young people and a laboratory specializing in green technologies.

'We are both looking forward to spending the next few days learning about the innovative ways the people of Massachusetts are tackling climate change,' William told cheering crowds outside city hall.

Hussey is a longstanding former lady-in-waiting to William's late grandmother, queen Elizabeth II and was a courtier to Queen Consort Camilla.

She was portrayed in Season Five of the hit Netflix series, 'The Crown,' the recent release of which has driven US interest in the House of Windsor up even further.

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