Buckingham Palace found itself embroiled in a race controversy today, taking royal officials by surprise as a black charity campaigner called for an apology.
Ngozi Falani reignited the issue, alleging that the royals had failed to offer a proper apology after she was offended by Lady Susan Hussey repeatedly questioning her origins.
Ms. Falani, stepping down as head of Sister Space charity, blamed the palace for not ensuring her safety from threats.
The unexpected turn of events unfolded on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, where Ms. Falani expressed her disappointment at the lack of a sincere apology from the palace.
Despite Lady Susan’s personal apology last November, Ms. Falani insisted that the palace only issued a statement after learning of her TV appearance plans.
She emphasized, “I don’t understand why saying sorry is so difficult.
If you know how to invite me, you know how to apologize.”
During the broadcast, presenter Richard Madili shared a new statement from the palace expressing regret for the distress caused to Mrs. Falani.
However, Ms. Falani questioned the timing and audience of the apology, suggesting it should have been directed towards her rather than the media.
Palace insiders clarified that previous apologies had been conveyed to Ms. Falani and her representative last year, countering her claims of a lack of communication.
Ms. Falani’s decision to temporarily step down from Sister Space on GMB Today highlighted the toll the incident had taken on her.
Facing online abuse and threats, she criticized Buckingham Palace for insufficient protection.
While palace staff asserted offering security assistance and addressing the abuse, Ms. Falani lamented the impact on Sister Space’s operations and reputation due to the ongoing dispute.
Expressing her commitment to raising awareness about violence against women and girls, Ms. Falani emphasized the importance of speaking out despite facing adversity.
She underscored the financial strain on Sister Space, necessitating PR intervention to manage media attention.
Reflecting on her advocacy work, she vowed to continue fighting for the cause regardless of the challenges encountered.
In a previous interview on BBC’s Radio 4’s Today program, Ms. Falani challenged perceptions of race and age, highlighting the need for inclusivity and respect in all settings.
Criticizing attempts to marginalize her based on nationality, she emphasized the importance of creating welcoming spaces for diverse communities.
Her outspoken stance resonated with supporters of Sister Space, underscoring the ongoing impact of the controversy on their outreach efforts.