Vladimir Putin

Although the Queen is unlikely to be speaking to the Russian president any time soon, the two have met and are rumoured to have a tense relationship, with Putin once keeping her waiting for 14 minutes. Former Home Secretary, David Blunkett, once said his guide dog had uncharacteristically barked during a 2003 royal reception for Putin. He apologised to the Queen, who is said to have replied, ‘Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?’