Prince Charles reportedly likened Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler this week while speaking to a woman who fled from the Nazis.
“And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler,” the Daily Mail quoted the prince of Wales as saying Monday to a museum volunteer, referencing the situation in Ukraine.
The Daily Mail reported the prince was introduced to Marienne Ferguson, a 78-year-old volunteer who fled Poland with her Jewish family when she was 13, while paying tribute to World War II veterans at a stop on his tour of Canada. Ferguson reportedly told the prince that some members of her family were sent to concentration camps and was surprised by the royal’s off-the-cuff response.
“I must say that I agree with him and am sure a lot of people do,” she said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. “But I was very surprised that he made the comment as I know they [members of the Royal Family] aren’t meant to say these things but it was very heartfelt and honest.”
A spokesperson for Charles’ office told the Daily Mail they would not comment on a private conversation. They added “we would like to stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation,” according to Reuters.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also reportedly made a comparison between Putin and Hitler at a fundraising event in March.
