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Putin says Prince Charles comment unroyal 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Britain's Prince Charles' comments about him were "not royal". The British heir to the throne has been the subject of a lot of controversy over comments he reportedly made in comparing Mr Putin's actions in Crimea to those of the Nazis in the run-up to World War II. The prince was talking to a former Polish war refugee and likened Putin's recent annexing of Crimea to the actions of Hitler. Mr Putin told reporters on Saturday that he had not heard the exact words Prince Charles supposedly used. He said: "This is definitely unacceptable if this is true." He added: "I know him and members of the royal family personally and this was not royal behaviour."

Mr Putin said the fuss caused by Prince Charles' alleged comments would not damage relations between Britain and Russia. He told the media: "I think that if our partners in Great Britain, just as I am, are guided by national interests rather than some other considerations, then all this will pass quite quickly and we'll continue to co-operate as we have done before". Mr Putin and Prince Charles are both due to attend a D-Day anniversary in France next month. It has the potential to be an awkward meeting, although it is likely diplomatic etiquette will ensure things go smoothly. British Prime Minister David Cameron said the prince was free to express his opinions.