A spokeswoman for the British royal family announced on Wednesday that a member of the household has resigned after making “unacceptable and very unfortunate” remarks about race and nationality to a woman at a formal reception at Buckingham Palace.

When Ngozi Fulani, a British-born employee of a domestic abuse support organization, attended an event on Tuesday that was sponsored by King Charles’s wife Camilla, the queen consort, a royal aide repeatedly questioned her: “What area of Africa are you from?”

The incident is the latest to embroil the royal family in allegations of racism, after Charles’s youngest son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan made accusations in an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

Meghan, in the interview, said one unnamed member of the family had asked, before their son Archie was born, how dark his skin might be.

The allegation clearly stung the monarchy, which promised any such issues would be treated very seriously, and prompted Harry’s older brother Prince William, heir to the throne, to remark days later: “We’re very much not a racist family.”

Buckingham Palace said the individual concerned in the latest incident, referred to by Fulani as Lady SH, would like to apologize for the hurt caused and had stepped aside from her honorary role with immediate effect.

The exchange occurred at a Violence Against Women And Girls’ reception at the palace, where guests included Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska, Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and Jordan’s Queen Rania.

In her account posted on Twitter, Fulani, who works for Sistah Space – a group which provides support for women of African and Caribbean heritage who have been affected by abuse – said about 10 minutes after she arrived, the aide approached her and moved her hair to view her name badge.

After being asked a number of times what part of Africa she was from, Fulani said she replied: “I am born here and am British.”

The aide responded: “No, but where do you really come from, where do your people come from?”

Last year, a senior royal source said Buckingham Palace had not done enough on diversity, although it has been endeavouring to boost the number of staff from ethnic minorities.

“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,” the palace spokesperson said.

“All members of the Household are being reminded of the diversity and inclusivity policies which they are required to uphold at all times.”