Princess Anne was nearly kidnapped when an armed man attacked her car on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace on this day in 1974.h
The Queen's only daughter and her then-husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were en route to the palace when a car swerved in front of their chauffeur-driven limousine on the Mall.
The Princess, then 23, had just attended a charity event in Pall Mall when Ian Ball, 26, brought them to a halt with his Ford Escort.
As royal police protection officer James Beaton and driver Alex Callender got out of the limousine, Ball began to shoot. Beaton’s own weapon jammed and he was shot three times by the assailant.
Callender was also shot while trying to disarm Ball, as was passing tabloid journalist Brian McConnell, who also tried to intervene.
Ball then got into the limousine and told Princess Anne to get out.
In documented evidence released later under the Thirty Years Rule, the Princess stated that her response to this request was: “Not bloody likely!”
She did eventually accede to Ball’s request, and as he followed her out of the car he was struck by former boxer Ron Russell, who also happened to be passing.
As Russell led Anne away from the scene, another policeman, PC Michael Hills, tried to intervene. He too was shot by Ball, though not before calling for back-up.
Detective constable Peter Edmonds was soon on the scene. He gave chase and was finally able to disarm and arrest the would-be kidnapper.
About 10 years later I was on a tour with Jim Beaton then PPO to HMQ. We were in St Lucia chatting at a beach hotel. I announced that I must go for my afternoon run. He said he would join me if that was OK. I thought well he is more than ten years older than me no probs. We started up the side of this volcano. After a few miles I was coughing up blood. I announced that I could go no further. Thank God for that he said because neither can I.
Note in the report that a certain 'Foggy' was conspicous in his lack of gallantry. Our 'Tim' of the senior service would not have just sat back. Good move Ma'am.
'Yes, Madam, I am drunk, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly.' Sir Winston Churchill.