Lady Susan Hussey accompanies the King to church in return to royal fold

Lady Susan Hussey has joined the King and the Princess Royal at a church service at Sandringham in an apparent vote of confidence in the former royal aide.

The 83-year-old, who resigned in a row over comments made to a charity campaigner, was pictured smiling after attending St Mary Magdalene Church on the Royal family’s Norfolk estate on Sunday.

Lady Hussey, who is the Prince of Wales’s godmother, stepped down from an honorary role after asking Ngozi Fulani, a black British domestic violence campaigner, where she “really came from” at a Buckingham Palace event in November.

She served Queen Elizabeth II for more than 60 years and had stayed on in an honorary role, but resigned after she was accused of “interrogating” Ms Fulani.

Wearing a dark-coloured coat and hat, Lady Hussey appeared to be clutching a white rose and grinning, as members of the public looked on.

Lady Hussey resigned from the Royal household and apologised after she repeatedly challenged Ms Fulani, who had said that she was British, at the Queen Consort’s reception highlighting violence against women and girls.

She later apologised in person to Ms Fulani, founder of the charity Sistah Space, after she expressed shock at the questions asked by the late Queen’s lady-in-waiting. The event in question was hosted at Buckingham Palace to mark the United Nations’ 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

In December, the two women met again at Buckingham Palace, which pledged to extend its diversity training after “peaceful reconciliation” between the two women.

“At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani,” a joint statement said.

“Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.

“Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended.”

It added: “The Royal households will continue their focus on inclusion and diversity, with an enhanced programme of work which will extend knowledge and training programmes, examining what can be learnt from Sistah Space, and ensuring these reach all members of their communities.

“Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.

“They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.”

The palace has refused to comment on the possibility that Lady Hussey could be reinstated in the future.