In the ever-shifting dynamics of the royal family, Prince William’s handling of the Lady Susan Hussey race controversy has reportedly escalated tensions with King Charles, according to insights from Omid Scobie’s latest book, “Endgame.”
The incident unfolded when Lady Susan Hussey, The Prince of Wales’s godmother, attended a reception hosted by Queen Camilla in November 2022. A guest, Ngozi Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, accused Hussey of repeatedly questioning her origins, deeming it racist. Hussey subsequently stepped down from her role as a Lady of the Household, and apologies were issued via Buckingham Palace and Prince Charles’s spokesperson.
Scobie suggests that Prince William’s response to the controversy heightened tensions with King Charles. In “Endgame,” he highlights the “increasing tension” between the father and son, fueled by Charles’s perceived “jealousy” of William’s more modern and public-friendly approach to the monarchy.
The author paints a picture of a strained relationship, noting that Charles may resent being viewed as a brief “bridge” to William’s future reign. Scobie comments on the “culture of cover-ups and PR trickery” within the House of Windsor, emphasizing the growing discord between Kensington Palace (William’s residence) and Buckingham Palace (Charles’s residence).
“The tussle for the spotlight has only heightened since Charles became King,” Scobie observes, indicating a power struggle for control and influence within the royal household. The reported tension stems not only from differing approaches to modernization but also from what Scobie describes as “solo manoeuvrings” by Prince William in response to the Lady Susan Hussey controversy.
As the House of Windsor navigates these internal challenges, the intricate dance between tradition and modernization continues, shaping the future of the British monarchy.
