PRINCE Charles today blasted Putin’s “brutal aggression” and called the invasion of Ukraine “attack on democracy”.
The Prince of Wales – who previously compared the Russian despot to Hitler – spoke of his “solidarity” for the Ukrainian people.
The future king warned of the threat posed in Eastern Europe to democracy as he spoke in tribute to murdered MP Davis Amess, at a ceremony to mark Southend becoming a city today.
The Prince paid tribute to murdered local MP, saying: “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.
Charles was in Southend as the Essex seaside town that was made a city by the Queen, after the two-decade campaign by the late Southend West MP.
On 18 October 2021, The Prime Minister announced that Her Majesty the Queen would grant Southend-on-Sea City Status as a tribute to Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West from 1997, who was attacked and died on Friday 15 October 2021 whist carrying out a surgery for his constituents.
Today’s intervention comes after he memorably came under fire when he compared Putin to Hitler in 2014.
He was talking with a 78-year Polish woman who escaped the Nazi Holocaust by sailing to Canada in 1939 – just before Germany seized the city of Gdansk, the newspaper said.
Marienne Ferguson said: “I had finished showing him the exhibit and talked with him about my own family background and how I came to Canada.
“The prince then said, ‘and now Putin is doing just about the same as Hitler’.”
It came as Russia was annexing the disputed Crimea.
But Charles came under fire at the time, not least from the Russian government itself.
The heir to the throne today presented the letters patent to the mayor of the new City, Cllr. Margaret Borton, confirming city status at a formal council meeting in Southend-On-Sea.
Sir David’s widow, Lady Amess also received the first ‘Freedom of the City’ on behalf of her late husband.
Charles said: “Today, Southend becomes a city.
“As we celebrate and honour that fact, we remember that it is always, and crucially, a community.
“I pray that this new city of Southend-on-Sea will continue from strength to strength, honouring the memory and legacy of Sir David Amess – one of its greatest ambassadors – and inspired always by the example of his dedication to the community he loved. Thank you.”
Later Charles and Camilla unveiled a new eco-friendly Pier train, which will be named after Sir David Amess MP, meet staff working on the Pier and on behalf of the RNLI and HM Coastguard and meet members of the local community, business and voluntary sector at a reception held at Sands by the Sea restaurant.
The title of city is mainly seen as an opportunity to boost the local economy and attract more tourists and investment, to Southend, that is already served by an airport.
A community-led bid for city status was going be submitted in December 2021 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
