SIR – For better or worse, Mr Putin is Head of State. An important an influential state at that. As someone for whom the press has misquoted ad nauseam, it might well be wrong, but if the Prince of Wales really did compare Putin to Hitler, I despair.

I completed a Soviet Studies course in the Army many years ago and I know just how appalling the Russian struggle against National Socialism was. No worse an insult could be levelled at a Russian.

The Prince of Wales must understand one day he will be King. He simply must learn to acquire some diplomatic skills and leave the slapstick politics to chaps like me who are elected to do it.

When I say long live the Queen I mean it in more ways than one.

Godfrey Bloom, MEP for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire, Main Street, Wressle, Selby