Public wants Queen's former lady-in-waiting to return to work after 'race row', poll shows

Lady Susan Hussey should be allowed to return to work following the row over her comments to a guest at Buckingham Palace, according to a poll.

The former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen – who was accused of racially insulting a British charity founder – won support from more than two-fifths (42 per cent) of a survey taken by members of the public, who said she should resume her honorary role with the Royal Family.

Less than a quarter (24 per cent) said she should not return, the GB News poll found, and support for her return was highest among over-65s, with 62 per cent voting in favour.

Lady Susan, 83, stepped aside in November after a charity campaigner accused her of racially insulting her at a Buckingham Palace reception. Ngozi Fulani said Lady Susan repeatedly asked where she was ‘really from’, despite being told she was born in Britain.

Ngozi Fulani (right) said Lady Susan (left) repeatedly asked where she was ‘really from’, despite being told she was born in Britain

The comments prompted a storm on social media and Lady Susan, pictured left, a godmother to Prince William, stepped aside from her position. 

A spokesman for the Prince of Wales described her comments as ‘unacceptable’ and welcomed her decision to step aside.

But supporters of Lady Susan have argued she was treated unfairly after serving the late Queen without incident for more than 60 years.

In recent days, calls have grown for her to be allowed to return to her role following her decision to meet Ms Fulani in December and offer her ‘sincere apologies’ for her comments. 

Lady Susan Hussey should be allowed to return to work following the row over her comments to a guest at Buckingham Palace, according to a poll

It is understood that senior royals hope Lady Susan will return, and point out that she never formally quit her honorary post, which is unpaid and entirely voluntary.

The GB News poll came just days after Prince Harry defended Lady Susan during his interview with ITV’s Tom Bradby, saying: ‘I also know what she meant – she never meant any harm at all.’

Matt Goodwin, a professor of politics at Rutherford College, University of Kent, claimed the results showed it was ‘time to rethink cancel culture’.

He said: ‘A plurality of voters are clearly sick and tired of so-called cancel culture, wanting those who publicly apologise after errors of judgment, such as Lady Susan, to be able to get on with and rebuild their lives.

‘Only a minority of voters think Lady Susan should remain without her job. Clearly, it is time to rethink cancel culture and move towards a culture that actually leaves room for the possibility of forgiveness.’