Inside King Charles and Vladimir Putin's relationship - from 'Hitler remark' to olive branch
It's a complicated relationship it seems...King Charles and Russian president Vladimir Putin have a long, complicated relationship, and it doesn’t seem to have always been a good one.
They first met back in 1994, when Putin – then first deputy head of the city administration of St Petersburg – showed Charles around the city during a royal visit. Fast forward 20 years, and relations were somewhat strained between the pair.
From allegedly comparing the Russian leader to Adolf Hitler, to an olive branch following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, here’s an inside look at their history…
King Charles ‘compares Putin to Hitler’
Back in 2014, Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula and annexed it.
In May 2014, Charles, now 76, who at the time was Prince of Wales, visited Canada for four days. During his visit, he attended a reception for World War II veterans at a museum in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
During the visit, the king reportedly spoke to a museum volunteer, who had fled from Poland to Canada with her Jewish family when she was a child.
“And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler,” Charles allegedly said.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the museum volunteer said: “I had finished showing him the exhibit and talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada.
“The prince then said, ‘And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler.'”
The Kremlin and Clarence House responds
At the time, Clarence House issued a statement in response.
“We would not comment on private conversations. It was a private conversation at a reception for war veterans.”
Charles’ alleged comments sparked much reaction.
“He has been to our country more than once. If he made such a comparison, it is unacceptable and I am sure he understands that as a man of manners,” Putin said at the time.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for any further comment.
‘Frosty’ meeting between King Charles and Vladimir Putin
In January 2020, Charles and Putin, 73, were at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem.
A video circulated online of Putin arriving at the event and heading to his seat, which was near French President Emmanuel Macron and Charles.
The video, which went viral, showed Putin shaking hands with Macron before seemingly ignoring Charles and sitting down.
Macron looked visibly shocked that Putin hadn’t shaken hands with the then-Prince of Wales.
However, the video cut before Putin noticed his mistake and went over to shake hands with Charles.
Charles slams Russian attack on Ukraine
On the morning of February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the war. It began following Putin’s announcement of a “special military operation” to “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine.
Minutes later, missiles and airstrikes hit across Ukraine, including in the capital, Kyiv.
A few days later, during an appearance in Southend-On-Sea, Charles gave a speech in which he spoke about Sir David Amess, who was fatally stabbed during an attack in 2021. He also briefly linked Amess’ death to the war in Ukraine.
“What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself. We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression,” he said.
Putin’s kind words following death of Queen Elizabeth II
In 2022, amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, Queen Elizabeth II died at the age 96. World leaders paid tribute to the monarch, who had for over 70 years.
Despite widespread condemnation from the West for his role in the Ukraine war, Putin still paid tribute to the queen, and even sent King Charles a message of support.
“Her Majesty’s name is inextricably linked with key events in the contemporary history of the United Kingdom. For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as high regard on the world stage,” he said at the time.
“I wish you courage and fortitude in the face of this difficult, irreparable loss. Please convey my sincere sympathy and support to the members of the royal family and all the people of the United Kingdom.”
In a letter published by the Russian Embassy a few days later, Putin wished Charles “success” on becoming king.
“Your Majesty, please accept my sincere congratulations on Your Accession to the throne. I wish Your Majesty success, good health and all the best,” he said.
However, the Russian president did not attend the queen’s funeral later that month.
Read more: King Charles sparks ‘new era’ with change to British passports
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