Royal figure Princess Anne's remarkable reaction to a kidnapper's demand cements her position as one of the most admirable members of the royal family for many.
In the heart of London, on a fateful day in 1974, Princess Anne found herself in the midst of a terrifying ordeal. The incident, well-documented in history, unfolded on The Mall as Princess Anne was on her way home to Buckingham Palace from a charity event.
Princess Anne was involved in a kidnap plot, the would-be kidnapper being Ian Ball. Ball blocked the Rolls-Royce carrying Princess Anne and her husband, Mark Phillips, and fired shots, injuring several men who attempted to intervene, including Inspector James Beaton, Alex Callender, and a journalist, Brian McConnell.
When Ball demanded that she leave the car, Princess Anne famously replied, "Not bloody likely!" This response, a testament to her determination not to comply with his demands, was just one example of her courage during the ordeal.
Witnesses described Princess Anne as calm and composed throughout the incident. She was reportedly 'scrupulously polite' to Ball, possibly to avoid escalating the situation. Ronnie Russell, a bystander who intervened, noted that Anne was "very, very together" and told Ball to "just go away and don't be such a silly man."
The bravery of those who intervened, especially Inspector Beaton and Russell, helped prevent further harm. Beaton was shot three times but continued to protect Anne, earning him the George Cross. Russell was awarded the George Medal for his actions.
The full dialogue during the incident is not entirely preserved, but these accounts highlight Princess Anne's courageous response and the heroic actions of those around her.
In the aftermath of the incident, Princess Anne has reflected upon the kidnapping attempt multiple times, including in the 2020 documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70. In the documentary, she stated that it takes her only 10 or 15 minutes to style her hair, contradicting the time taken by The Crown's hair department.
Princess Anne has never been interviewed about her experiences with The Crown. However, in an interview with Michael Parkinson in 1980, she recalled that she started off being "scrupulously polite" to Ball but later lost her temper when he split the back of her dress.
Ian Ball, the would-be kidnapper of Princess Anne, was arrested at the scene and spent decades in Broadmoor Psychiatric Hospital, but was released in 2019. Ball claims he is an innocent, sane man due to his belief that the gunpowder had been removed from the bullets and another girl had been substituted for Princess Anne.
Despite the traumatic event, Princess Anne's response to the kidnap attempt is admirable, showcasing her unique character and memorable quips, such as her comment about avoiding Twitter. For a comprehensive look into Princess Anne's life, readers can turn to "The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne," an insightful biography by Helen Cathcart.
- In the heart of London's bustling home, a beauty of a princess named Anne was caught in a terrifying ordeal that shook the world.
- Amidst the chaos and danger, Princess Anne demonstrated remarkable health and wellness, maintaining her composure throughout the alarming incident.
- After the incident, Princess Anne's family and the public learned more about her unique sense of humor, as she joked about avoiding Twitter, showcasing her entertaining side in the face of adversity.
- For those intrigued by the life of this resilient royal, a pop-culture icon who transcends celebrities, the book "The Princess Royal: From Princess Mary to Princess Anne" offers a wellness-inspiring biography.
