Inside Queen Elizabeth II’s complex relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin

The uncharacteristically warm message sent by Vladimir Putin after the Queen’s death masks a relationship with her family that is far from civil.

The polite and uncharacteristically warm message sent by the Russian President to the newly installed King, in the hours after Queen Elizabeth II’s death had some confused.

Despite public condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and other incidents that challenged diplomacy, he appeared earnest and sorrowful in his message.

On Thursday evening, local time, Vladimir Putin paid tribute to the monarch, and described her passing as an “irreparable loss”.

“The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with the name of Her Majesty,” read a message that was sent from Mr Putin to King Charles III.

“For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.”

Queen Elizabeth II met with Vladimir Putin several times during her time as Queen. Picture: Chris Jackson/ Getty Images.

President Vladimir Putin sent his condolences to King Charles III in the aftermath of the Queen’s death. Picture: Gavriil Grigorov/ Sputnik/ AFP.

Mr Putin also addressed King Charles III directly, and added: “I wish you courage and resilience in the face of this difficult, irreparable loss. May I ask you to pass on sincere condolences and support to members of the royal family and the entire people of Great Britain.”

On Saturday, Mr Putin also became the first leader world leader to congratulate King Charles III, after his official Accession Ceremony, which saw him become the next monarch of the United Kingdoms and Commonwealth realms. Despite this, it’s been confirmed that the Russian leader will not be attending the Queen’s state funeral on September 19. Kremlin representative, Dimitry Peskov confirmed a representative for Russia will go in his place.

“Your Majesty, Please accept my sincere congratulations on your accession to the throne. I wish Your Majesty success, good health and all the best,” a translation of the telegram read.

Despite the apparent pleasantries, Mr Putin’s relationship with the British royal family has been prickly, especially in the months after Russia’s much-condemned invasion into Ukraine.

The Queen and Putin

In 1994, the Queen became the first British monarch to enter Russia during a state visit. At the time, a spokesperson for the first president of Russia, Boris Yeltsin noted that: “the British queen would never have visited a Communist country”.

Putin also visited the UK in 2003 and the late monarch has been photographed with the likes of Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Alexy II and Mikhail Gorbachev – the last leader of the Soviet Union.

During his 2003 UK trip, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a return banquet for Queen Elizabeth II, among other royal. Picture: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images.

While photos from Mr Putin’s UK visit shows him smiling with the Queen, attending a trip to Edinburgh, and later hosting a return banquet for her majesty, tensions appeared to bubble under the surface.

At the time it was reported that the Russian leader had left the Queen waiting for 14 minutes prior to an engagement.

In March 2022, in the weeks after Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, a senior former member of government, also revealed the Queen’s backhanded passing comment that spoke volumes.

“The only time I met Vladimir Putin was back in 2003 on an official visit and my then dog barked very loudly,” said the UK’s then Press Secretary David Blunkett, speaking to the BBC.

“I did apologise to the Queen who was obviously hosting.

“I don’t think I am giving anything away when I said, ‘Sorry your Majesty about the dog barking.

“She said, ‘Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?’”

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Russian President Vladimir Putin at Buckingham Palace during his 2003 UK visit. Picture: Stefan Rousseau – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images.

King Charles III’ ‘unacceptable’ Putin jab

Behind the Queen’s diplomacy, King Charles III has been more active and evident in his condemnation against Mr Putin.

In 2014, the then Duke of Wales came under fire for a reported remark he made to a volunteer at the Jewish museum in Canada, in which he compared Mr Putin to Adolf Hitler.

In response, Mr Putin denounced the comment as “unacceptable” and “wrong,” and “not what monarchs do”.

As of Saturday, the former Duke of Wales has been installed as the Britain’s next King. Picture: Victoria Jones/ POOL/ AFP.

A lengthier statement shared to the Press Association chief executive Clive Marshall he said: “Give my words to Prince Charles. He has been to our country more than once, if he made such a comparison, it is unacceptable and I am sure he understands that as a man of manners.”

The royal’s comments went against one of the royal family’s key rules that require them to remain politically neutral and unbiased. The code extends that sees the family abstain from voting, despite there being no official British law that prohibiting the practice.

On the official Royal.uk website, under the section ‘the King’s role in Government,’ the page states that: “As Head of State The Kin has to remain strictly neutral with respect to political matters”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the King Charles III’s comments that compared him to Hitler. Picture: Sergei Bobylyov/ TASS Host Photo Agency/ AFP.

Then again in 2022, King Charles’ became the first royals to denounce the actions of Mr Putin when he unleashed war on Ukraine. Speaking at a council meeting at the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea in England, he said the invasion was “unconscionable”.

“In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression,” he said.

In the aftermath of his comments, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and Prince William and Kate Middleton released similar statements which shared their solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future.

Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future 🇺🇦 W & C

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 26, 2022

Russians share their grief over Queen’s death

In Mr Putin’s homeland, the response to Queen Elizabeth’s death has largely been restrained and positive.

According to UK publication, The Spectator, Russian media have respectful, despite the anti-west slant it often takes. The publication quotes a prominent Russian tabloid, Komsomolskaya Pravda which described the Queen as the “the last living titan of the 20th century”.

Since Friday, some Russians have even taken to laying flowers, candles and handmade tributes outside the British embassy.

Russians have honoured the passing of Queen Elizabeth II by laying flowers outside the British embassy. Picture: Alexander Nemenov/ AFP.

Armed with a pink bouquet, Russian man Muscovite Anton Avramets told Reuters that: “Despite what is going on now, the Queen and the royal house have always been the personification of peace and goodness”.

“She was one of the strongest leaders of Western countries, and now it’s a shame the world has lost her,” his wife, Karina added.