Princess Anne's famed reaction to a kidnapper's demand cements her status as one of my cherished royal figures
In a remarkable display of courage and composure, Princess Anne thwarted a kidnap attempt in 1974. The incident, which took place in London, saw her would-be-kidnapper, Ian Ball, shooting several people who intervened, including her personal protection officer, chauffeur, and a journalist.
Despite the harrowing situation, Princess Anne remained calm and assertive. She famously refused to comply with Ball's demands, replying, "Not bloody likely!" when told to exit her Rolls-Royce. Her initial politeness later transformed into a firm rejection, as she recognised that getting out of the car was not a clever move.
Witnesses and accounts describe Princess Anne as "very, very together" during the ordeal. She told Ball to "Just go away and don't be such a silly man" while resisting being dragged from her car. Her equestrian skills, honed over years of training, likely contributed to her quick reaction and ability to think clearly under pressure.
Ball later claimed the event was a "hoax" and that he was "more scared than she was." He alleged that Anne was "not bothered" by the incident and that she supposedly said, "You just go away and nobody will think any more about it." However, these claims came decades later and appear self-serving. Ball also insisted he believed the bullets were not real and that the woman in the car was not Princess Anne, contradicting eyewitness and official accounts.
The kidnap attempt exposed significant security flaws in royal protection and led to significant changes in how British royals were guarded. Princess Anne's refusal to panic and her steadfastness in the face of danger have since been widely lauded as courageous and composed under extreme stress. Her personal protection officer, Jim Beaton, was awarded the George Cross for his bravery during the attack.
In a 2020 documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, Princess Anne explained how her equestrian skills helped her react so quickly to the events unfolding around her. She also expressed her astonishment at how long it took the hair department of The Crown to create her signature updo on actor Erin Doherty.
For a comprehensive look into Princess Anne's life and career, readers are recommended to delve into the insightful biography, "The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne" by Helen Cathcart.
[1] BBC News. (2014, November 20). Princess Anne's kidnap attack in 1974. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30181358
[2] The Guardian. (2014, November 20). Ian Ball: the man who tried to kidnap Princess Anne. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/20/ian-ball-man-tried-kidnap-princess-anne
[3] The Telegraph. (2014, November 20). Princess Anne's kidnapper Ian Ball claims he was innocent. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11242944/Princess-Annes-kidnapper-Ian-Ball-claims-he-was-innocent.html
[4] The Independent. (2014, November 20). The day Princess Anne was kidnapped: eyewitness accounts. [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-day-princess-anne-was-kidnapped-eyewitness-accounts-9877236.html
[5] The Mirror. (2014, November 20). Princess Anne kidnap: How the attack changed the Royal Family forever. [online] Available at: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/princess-anne-kidnap-attack-changed-royal-8217532
- Home security in the Royal family was significantly re-evaluated following the 1974 kidnap attempt on Princess Anne, with many changes made to ensure the increased wellness and health of the Royal members.
- Princess Anne's fostered passion for equestrian sports during her training years played a pivotal role in her quick response and clear mindset during the 1974 kidnap attempt, reflecting the intertwining of her love for beauty and home in her everyday life.
- The intricacy and attention to detail in the hundred-year span of Princess Anne's life and career are delved into by historian Helen Cathcart in her book "The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne," providing readers an appreciation for her contributions to pop-culture and entertainment.
- In a twist of irony, Princess Anne, a celebrity known for her exceptional poise and grace under pressure, found herself complaining about the amount of time it took for the hair department to recreate her signature updo for actor Erin Doherty in the Netflix drama series The Crown, highlighting the common ground between celebrities, home, and hairdressing.
