Lesser-known royal attends first day of Wimbledon with controversial guest
Lesser-known royal attends first day of Wimbledon with controversial guest
Wimbledon has welcomed a new royal appearance today on Day One of the tennis tournament.
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Add us as preferred source Comments By Sophia Papamavroudi 16:28, Mon, Jun 29, 2026 Updated: 16:31, Mon, Jun 29, 2026 
The Duke of Kent has been pictured among a number of celebrities taking in the first day of Wimbledon today. Prince Edward, 90, was snapped paying close attention as the match went on at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
Former England football captain Sir David Beckham, former Great British Bake Off judge Dame Mary Berry and ex-Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly were among the celebrities also spotted at the prestigious tennis event. However, another controversial guest also appeared today. Lady Susan Hussey was seen sitting in a row in front of Tess Daly and Gayle Lawton.
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She was dressed in black with a white blazer and burgundy sunglasses.
Lady Susan was the late Queen Elizabeth’s Lady of the Bedchamber, but she was forced to resign in December 2022 following an incident at Buckingham Palace, nearly three months after the late monarch’s passing.
The 87-year-old, who is also one of Prince William’s godparents, was involved in a racist row with a charity boss who alleged that the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting had asked her where she “really” is from during a reception in November of that year.
Ngozi Fulani, the founder of the charity Sistah Space, wrote on X about the incident: “Mixed feelings about yesterday's visit to Buckingham Palace. 10 minutes after arriving, a member of staff, Lady SH, approached me, moved my hair to see my name badge. The conversation below took place. The rest of the event is a blur.”
The charity leader also included a transcript of the exchange and added that Mandu Reid, the leader of the Women's Equality Party, and Suzanne Jacob had witnessed it.
Lady Susal allegedly asked her "what part of Africa” she was from, according to the transcript shared by Ms Fulani.
She then allegedly pressed Ms Fulani to know her nationality, telling the charity leader even after the Palace guest had made it clear to her she was born and bred in Britain: “No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”
A few hours after Ms Fulani's post, Buckingham Palace released a statement.
A spokesman said: “We take this incident extremely seriously and have investigated immediately to establish the full details. In this instance, unacceptable and deeply regrettable comments have been made.
“We have reached out to Ngozi Fulani on this matter, and are inviting her to discuss all elements of her experience in person if she wishes.
"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.
“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
