The Prince of Wales on Tuesday spoke of threat to democracy after Russia’s “brutal” invasion of Ukraine.
The future king, who in 2014 sparked a diplomatic row by comparing Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler, became the first senior royal to speak out in support of Ukraine when he called for “solidarity.”
On Sunday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge signalled their support for the country in a tweet.
Prince Charles’ intervention came as he was presenting the legal document granting Southend city status, on behalf of the Queen and following the killing of local MP Sir David Amess.
Speaking at the ceremony to mark Southend’s new status, he paid tribute to Sir David and said: “What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy on open society, on freedom itself.
“We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way.
“In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression,” he said.
Sir David, who had campaigned for two decades for Southend to get city status, was stabbed to death during a constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on 15 October.
The prince was set to reference the high democratic values held by the late Southend West MP and highlight his passion for freedom and democracy.
The Kremlin reacted angrily when in 2014 Charles likened Russia’s annexation of Crimea to the actions of Nazi Germany.
During a visit to a museum of immigration in Halifax, Canada, he told a woman whose relations were murdered in the Holocaust: “And now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler.”
The Russian government said the comments were “outrageous, unacceptable and low.”
Today the heir to the throne, accompanied by wife Camilla, was presenting the letters patent to Southend’s mayor confirming the Essex resort’s city status.
It came as Ukraine’s president this morning thanked William and Kate for expressing their solidarity with the people of his homeland.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he was “grateful” to William and Kate who tweeted that they stood with “the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight” for the future.
The Cambridges signed off their message with their initials, indicating they had personally posted the words of support.
In response, President Zelensky tweeted: “Olena and I are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that at this crucial time, when Ukraine is courageously opposing Russia’s invasion, they stand by our country and support our brave citizens.
“Good will triumph.”
