Vladimir Putin wins race to be first world leader to congratulate King Charles III – eight years after new monarch compared Russian leader to Hitler
- Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to congratulate King Charles III after his Accession Ceremony
- The Russian President and the new King have had a particularly frosty relationship
- King Charles likened Putin to Hitler in 2014 and condemned the Ukraine invasion in 2022
Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to congratulate King Charles III after his Accession Ceremony on Saturday.
The Russian President and the new King have had a particularly frosty relationship over the years, beginning in 2014 when Charles likened Putin to Adolf Hitler.
The then-prince made the withering assessment to Jewish museum volunteer Marienne Ferguson after she told him how her family had fled from Hitler.
Tensions flared again in early 2022 when the King became the first member of the Royal family to publicly condemn Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
He described the war as an ‘an attack on democracy’ and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian public.
The Russian President and the new King have had a particularly frosty relationship over the years, beginning in 2014 when Charles likened Putin to Adolf Hitler
Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to congratulate King Charles III after his Accession Ceremony on Saturday
King Charles is pictured with Putin in 1994 paying respects to the victims of the Leningrad siege
But Putin appeared to put all differences aside this week after Queen Elizabeth II’s tragic death on Thursday.
He released a statement via the Russian Embassy, UK, Twitter account which read: ‘Please accept my sincere congratulations on your accession to the throne.
‘I wish Your Majesty success, good health and all the best.’
Putin also issued a statement on Thursday, after Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming the death of the Queen.
He said: ‘The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty.
‘For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of all her subjects, as well as stature in the international arena.’
Putin also issued a statement on Thursday, after Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming the death of the Queen. Pictured: The two men together in 2003, which was the last time Putin and his wife visited the Queen
Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday the Russian leader would not attend the Queen’s funeral. Pictured during Putin’s trip to London in 2003
To the King, he said: ‘I wish you courage and perseverance in the face of this heavy, irreparable loss.’
Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday the Russian leader would not attend the Queen’s funeral.
A Russian representative will be chosen in the coming days to attend on behalf of him.
The Queen last hosted Putin and his wife at Buckingham Palace in 2003.
It’s unclear whether Putin and King Charles III will mend fences any time soon amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Following the Hitler comparison, Putin issued a statement describing Charles’ statement as ‘unacceptable’ and ‘wrong’.
‘Give my words to Prince Charles. 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,’ he said at the time.
The Russian Embassy also pointed out at the time that the King’s great uncle, Edward VIII, ‘was a personal friend of Hitler’.
The Prince of Wales, the Queen, King Charles III and Lord President of the Council Penny Mordaunt during the Accession Council at St James’s Palace
King Charles III signing the Proclamation at St James’s Palace in London this morning during the historic ceremony
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk