Prince Charles has reportedly likened Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler.

In an unguarded comment about the Russian President’s actions in the Ukraine, the Prince of Wales told a woman who had lost relatives in the Nazi Holocaust: “And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler,” the Daily Mail reported.

The Prince’s comment could potentially be seen as criticism of the West for failing to confront Mr Putin over his seizure of Crimea. The annexation was a first by a major power in Europe since 1945.

Observers have compared the Ukraine crisis with Hitler’s takeovers of Poland and Czechoslovakia and pointed to his use of special forces in disguise to stir up tension in disputed areas.

The Prince of Wales, who is due to meet Mr Putin at the D-Day commemorations in France on June 6 made his comment, according to the Daily Mail, during a visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia.