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Prince Charles 'compared Russian actions to Nazis' Prince Charles 'compared Russian actions to Nazis'
(35 minutes later)
A former Polish war refugee who met Prince Charles in Canada has said he likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Russia's Vladimir Putin.A former Polish war refugee who met Prince Charles in Canada has said he likened some Nazi actions in Europe to those of Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Marienne Ferguson was speaking after meeting Prince Charles at a Nova Scotia immigration museum where she works.Marienne Ferguson was speaking after meeting Prince Charles at a Nova Scotia immigration museum where she works.
As they discussed Hitler's takeover of countries, the prince "said something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing,'" she recalled.As they discussed Hitler's takeover of countries, the prince "said something to the effect of 'it's not unlike... what Putin is doing,'" she recalled.
Clarence House said it would not comment on a private conversation.Clarence House said it would not comment on a private conversation.
The prince is due to meet the Russian president for D-Day anniversary celebrations in France next month.The prince is due to meet the Russian president for D-Day anniversary celebrations in France next month.
On Monday, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Pier 21, Canada's national immigration museum, during their four-day tour of Canada. Analysis
The prince chatted to Ms Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada just prior to the Nazi occupation, and some of whose family died in concentration camps. By Peter Hunt, BBC Royal correspondent
"He [Charles] asked when I came to Canada, I told him 1939," said Ms Ferguson. It was, Marienne Ferguson told the BBC, "just a little remark. I didn't think it was going to make such a big uproar".
It has had significant ramifications because it was uttered by a man who will one day be head of state.
The British monarchy is in a period of subtle transition. Prince Charles is, slowly, taking on more of his 88-year-old mother's workload. As a result, there's a renewed focus on the type of king he will become.
Privately, Charles - a passionate prince - probably won't be too bothered that he's highlighted the actions of President Putin.
Others at Buckingham Palace and the UK Foreign Office are likely to be less sanguine.
And his critics - he has plenty for a person who'll one day occupy a unifying role - will see this as yet another example of an unelected hereditary heir meddling when he shouldn't.
On Monday, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Pier 21, Canada's national immigration museum, during their four-day tour of the country.
The prince chatted to museum volunteer Ms Ferguson, who left Poland for Canada just prior to the Nazi occupation.
The 78-year-old managed to escape to Canada along with her parents and two sisters, but other members of her family were sent to Nazi camps, the Daily Mail reported.
"He [Prince Charles] asked when I came to Canada, I told him 1939," Ms Ferguson said.
"He made the remark that now Putin is doing some of the same things that Hitler was doing."He made the remark that now Putin is doing some of the same things that Hitler was doing.
"I agreed - you know, he is taking countries the same as Hitler did.""I agreed - you know, he is taking countries the same as Hitler did."
BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt commented: "This was an unplanned foray into a vexed international issue. 'Clearly private'
"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."
The Russian president has been widely condemned since he annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March.The Russian president has been widely condemned since he annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the same comparison between Mr Putin and Hitler in March, when Russia began issuing passports to Ukrainian citizens.Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the same comparison between Mr Putin and Hitler in March, when Russia began issuing passports to Ukrainian citizens.
"Now if this sounds familiar, it's what Hitler did back in the '30s," she said."Now if this sounds familiar, it's what Hitler did back in the '30s," she said.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg defended the prince over his comments. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg defended the prince over his comments, saying it was "clearly a private conversation".
He said there was nothing wrong with him having views and expressing them, particularly in private, and said it was unrealistic to expect members of the Royal Family not to have opinions. He told BBC Breakfast: "I have never been of this view that if you are a member of the Royal Family somehow you have to enter into some Trappist vow of silence."
Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 5 live: "I certainly support his right to speak freely, particularly in conversations that are private."
Prince Charles has previously faced criticism at Westminster over his so-called "black spider" memos expressing his views on controversial issues to ministers.Prince Charles has previously faced criticism at Westminster over his so-called "black spider" memos expressing his views on controversial issues to ministers.