Britain's Prince Charles stoked controversy during a visit to Canada by comparing the recent actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin's to those of Adolf Hitler, according to a media report.
The British newspaper said several witnesses heard the prince make the comment to Marienne Ferguson, a 78-year-old who fled the Nazis aged 13 and lost family members in the Holocaust.
"I... Talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada," Ferguson told the Daily Mail.
The prince then 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," she added. "I was very surprised that he made the comment as I know they (the Royal Family) aren't meant to say these things but it was very heartfelt and honest."
The British heir met Ferguson during a tour of the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as part of his four-day trip to Canada with his wife Camilla.
He is due to meet with Putin at D-Day commemorations in France on June 6.
Clarence House have so far declined to comment on the reports.
