Lady Susan Hussey was once described as the late Queen's number one head girl. But now the monarch's lady-in-waiting, who spent decades serving as one of Elizabeth II’s closest confidantes, has resigned amid a race row.
Ngozi Fulani, chief executive of Sistah Space and a prominent black advocate for survivors of domestic abuse, said “Lady SH” repeatedly asked her where she “really came from” when she said she was British at a Buckingham Palace reception. Lady Susan was set to help the King on formal occasions as one of three “Ladies of the Household” but has stepped down from her newly-appointed post.
The Queen turned to Lady Susan for support on the day of her husband the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. She was at the Queen’s side, travelling with her in the State Bentley to St George’s Chapel for Philip’s poignant farewell service which was subject to Covid restrictions.
Lady Susan, now 83, was also one of the Prince of Wales’s godparents, and also attended his confirmation in 1997 - demonstrating her close bond with the Royal Family. During the pandemic, she joined the Queen and Philip in so-called 'HMS Bubble' as one of about 20 staff who cared for the royal couple in lockdown at Windsor Castle.
Lady Susan was married to the late BBC chairman Marmaduke Hussey. Her daughter Lady Katharine Brooke is a close friend of the Queen Consort, and has just been appointed one of Camilla’s six new Queen’s Companions.
Ladies-in-waiting were personally chosen by the monarch. They had a variety of duties including attending to private and personal matters for the Queen and handling her correspondence.
They also assisted the Queen on official engagements, from handing her money to being passed the bouquets of flowers presented to her. In 2001, Lady Susan passed the Queen a pound coin so she could buy The Big Issue from a magazine seller while on an official day trip to Brighton.
She has also been present at important moments in history. She travelled on the Spirit of Chartwell barge with the Queen and other members of the royal family for the Diamond Jubilee river pageant on the Thames in 2012.
The Queen’s ladies-in-waiting often served her for more than 50 years and acted as both friends and loyal assistants. Operating in the background, their discretion and support was considered invaluable.
The late Marmaduke Hussey, who died in 2006, was BBC chairman when Diana, Princess of Wales gave her controversial 1995 Panorama interview. However, in accordance with tradition, he was not given a preview.
“Duke” Hussey was a leading newspaper industry executive for decades, taking the prestigious BBC post when he retired from News International. Lady Susan is also a sister of the former Tory Cabinet minister William Waldegrave.
