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Prince Charles 'compared Putin to Hitler' in private conversation Prince Charles 'compared Putin to Hitler' in private conversation
(35 minutes later)
The Prince of Wales has compared the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, it has been claimed. The Prince of Wales has compared the actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler during a conversation with a woman who fled the Nazis, it has been claimed.
Charles appeared to back growing international anger from the West at Russia's actions in Ukraine during his tour of Canada when he spoke to a woman who fled the Nazis and lost family members during the Holocaust. Marienne Ferguson, a former Polish war refugee, said the comment was made while she was speaking with Prince Charles at the Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she volunteers. The Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall had been visiting the museum to pay tribute to Second World War veterans and their families.
His remark came during a tour of the Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when the Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to Second World War veterans and their families. Prince Charles's remarks came as he is due to meet with President Putin next month to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June.
Jewish museum volunteer Marienne Ferguson told the Prince that she fled to Canada with her family shortly before the Nazis annexed the Baltic coastal Free City of Gdansk in 1939. Ms Ferguson told the Prince she fled to Canada with her family shortly before the Nazis annexed the Baltic coastal Free City of Gdansk in 1939.
After meeting Charles, Mrs Ferguson, 78, said: “The Prince said, 'And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler'. After meeting Charles, Mrs Ferguson, 78, said: “The Prince said, 'and now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler'.
“I must say that I agree with him and am sure a lot of people do.“I must say that I agree with him and am sure a lot of people do.
“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 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.
“I told the Prince that while my family and I were lucky to get a permit to travel, many members of my relatives had permits but were unable to get out before the war broke out on September 1.“I told the Prince that while my family and I were lucky to get a permit to travel, many members of my relatives had permits but were unable to get out before the war broke out on September 1.
“They were sent to the concentration camps and died.”“They were sent to the concentration camps and died.”
A spokesman for Clarence House said: “We do not comment on private conversations. But we would like to stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation.” In pictures: The Ukraine crisis
Charles is due to meet Mr Putin in a few weeks when he attends the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy on June 6. The Daily Mail  reported the comparison was made at the end of his visit to the museum and was overheard by several witnesses.
He and the Duchess are currently on a four-day tour of Canada. Dmitry Peskov, Mr Putin's press secretary did not respond to the claims. He told Sky News: "I don't know anything about it. I can't really trust the Daily Mail as a source."
Labour (Co-op) MP Mike Gapes, who represents Ilford South, condemned the Prince's comments. A spokesperson for Clarence House said it would not comment on private conversations. However, it did say: “We would like to stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation.”
He said on Twitter: “If Prince Charles wants to make controversial statements on national or international issues he should abdicate and stand for election. The alleged comments follow Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, a move that was widely condemned by the West, who declared a referendum on absorbing the Black Sea peninsula illegitimate and illegal.  
“In constitutional monarchy policy and diplomacy should be conducted by Parliament and Government. Monarchy should be seen and not heard.” The former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton previously drew comparisons between Mr Putin and Hitler after Russia began issuing passports to Ukrainian citizens, which Ms Clinton claimed was "what Hitler did back in the '30s".
PA