The Prince of Wales has stirred controversy when he compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler during his recent visit to Canada.

According to Polish refugee Marienne Ferguson, Prince Charles remarked that Putin is now doing what Hitler did to Europe. Ferguson moved to Canada in 1939 before the Nazi occupied Poland, wrote ABC News.

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In an interview with the Daily Mail, Ferguson said she agreed with Prince Charles' statement.

She said though that she was surprised by what the prince said because members of the Royal Family are not supposed to make such comments on these issues. Nevertheless, Ferguson described the prince's statement as "heartfelt and honest."

Ferguson, who was 13 when she fled to Canada, accompanied the Prince of Wales around the National Museum of Immigration on Monday. She recounted to the prince how she escaped the Polish city of Gdansk with her family.

Ferguson survived the Nazi invasion, but many of her relatives had died in concentration camps.

In a statement, Clarence House addressed the matter, saying it does not release comments on private conversations. However, the statement emphasized that Prince Charles would not intend to impress a "political statement" upon the public during a private discussion.

The Royal Family usually avoids making statements that could be misinterpreted as having some sort of political shade.

Prince Charles is scheduled to meet the Russian president at events to be held in honor of the D-Day's 70th anniversary. The said meeting is set to take place in Normandy next month.

According to BBC Royal correspondent Peter Hunt, the comments of the Prince of Wales was an "unplanned foray" into a complicated international issue.

The prince's supporters said he is empathizing with those shocked with Putin's actions in Ukraine. However, his critics believe that as an unelected state leader, Prince Charles should not comment on these issues, Hunt explained.