Prince Charles has likened Vladimir Putin's actions to those of Adolf Hitler during the Second World War, according to a Polish war refugee.
Marienne Ferguson, a 78-year-old whose relatives died in Nazi concentration camps, met the prince yesterday at a reception for war veterans in Nova Scotia, Canada.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ferguson said that she agreed with the Prince but was "very surprised" that he made the comment as she thought the Royal family "are not meant to say these things".
The Prince, who is on a four-day royal tour of Canada with the Duchess of Cornwall, is due to meet the Russian president for D-Day anniversary celebrations in France next month.
Putin has been widely condemned since he annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March. When he subsequently began issuing Russian passports to Ukrainian citizens, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a similar comment to the Prince, telling an audience at a private fund-raiser: "Now if this sounds familiar, it's what Hitler did back in the 1930s."
BBC royal correspondent Peter Hunt describes Prince Charles's comments as "an unplanned foray into a vexed international issue".
He adds: "Charles's supporters will argue his views are in tune with those who've been appalled by the Russian president's actions in Ukraine. His critics believe an unelected future head of state should be seen and not heard."
Prince Charles has previously been criticised for meddling in domestic affairs, holding private meetings with ministers and writing them letters about issues close to his heart.
Clarence House said it would not comment on a private conversation.
-
Political cartoons for February 1Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Tom Homan's offer, the Fox News filter, and more
-
Will SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic make 2026 the year of mega tech listings?In Depth SpaceX float may come as soon as this year, and would be the largest IPO in history
-
Reforming the House of LordsThe Explainer Keir Starmer’s government regards reform of the House of Lords as ‘long overdue and essential’
-
Royal family website attacked by Russian hackersSpeed Read Pro-Kremlin group claim responsibility just two weeks after King Charles condemns invasion of Ukraine
-
Who will be the next Duke of Edinburgh?Speed Read Prince Charles reportedly reluctant to hand over his father’s title to youngest sibling
-
Queen supports Black Lives Matter, senior royal aide claimsSpeed Read Official says race is ‘hot conversation topic’ in Royal Family after Sussexes’ ‘racist royal’ allegation
-
Prince Andrew ‘delayed family holiday’ to party on Jeffrey Epstein’s private islandSpeed Read
-
Prince William ‘angered Harry by asking Diana’s brother to halt marriage to Meghan’Speed Read New book claims the younger Royal was ‘furious’ about other family members being dragged into row
-
Prince William and Harry charities reported for ‘inappropriate use of funds’
Speed Read Anti-monarchy campaigners’ allegations against royal brothers to be investigated by Charity Commission
-
Prince Andrew’s ‘good works’ website deleted amid mounting pressure over Epstein inquirySpeed Read Duke facing fresh calls to speak to US authorities following arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell
-
Meghan Markle claims her wedding ‘made £1bn for Britain’Speed Read Duchess claimed royal household failed to protect her from ‘aggressive attacks’
