Russia is demanding an ’official explanation’ after Britain’s Prince Charles reportedly compared President Vladimir Putin to Hitler.
“If these words were really said, then undoubtedly they are not worthy of a future British monarch,” said foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, the Agence France-Presse reported.
“We have requested an official explanation from British authorities over the statements,” he said.
The announcement comes after a Daily Mail report about a 78-year Polish woman who escaped the Holocaust. The woman claims Charles made the offhand comment during a tour Monday of the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
“I had finished showing him the exhibit and talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada,” Marienne Ferguson told the Mail.
“The prince then said, ’And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler,’ ” she said.
The report was quickly picked up by Western media critical of Mr. Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
Mr. Lukashevich continued: “We consider it is unacceptable, disgusting and low that Western media are using members of the British royal family to unroll a propaganda campaign against Russia on a contentious international issue like the situation in Ukraine.”
British member of Parliament Mike Gapes also criticized the reported comments, arguing that “Monarchy should be seen and not heard,” CNN reported.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, meanwhile, defended Charles.
“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,” he said, CNN reported.
According to AFP, a senior Russian diplomat was expected to hold talks at Britain’s foreign ministry Thursday concerning the comments.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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