Ian Ball, a crazed gunman, attempted to kidnap Princess Anne on the night of 20 March 1974.
It was the attempted kidnap that nearly cost the life and limb of the queen’s daughter.
Ian Ball, a crazed gunman used his Ford Escort to make Princess Anne’s limousine stop while it was going down The Mall.
After firing volleys of bullets through the Austin Princess windows’ windows, he used his pistol. Captain Phillips was so protective of his wife that he attempted to wrap her up on the opposite side of the car.
Anne’s police guard, Detective Inspector Jim Beaton attempted to help his charge, but the Walther PP jammed his gun and he received three shots in the arms and chest.
In the ensuing melee to stop Ball, a further three people were shot – including Anne’s chauffeur and another policeman.
After being punched in his head by Ronnie Russell (a former boxer), Ball was eventually stopped by Peter Edmonds, an officer who was carrying Anne to safety.
Ball later was found to have mental illness. However, in 2014 it was revealed that Ball had stated in interviews that the ‘one positive thing’ that would come from his ‘audacious crime was that Anne’s safety and security would be improved.
Anne, Prince Charles and Prince William are protected only during official engagements. Kate, the Queen and Prince William get full-time bodyguards from the police.
It was revealed that Prince Harry will sue the Government for removing his UK security officers after he and Meghan Markle retired as working royals in 2012.
Harry was informed yesterday by Dai Davies, the former head for royal protection, that Harry can’t ‘pick and chose’ when he wishes to travel to the UK and have bodyguards.
Anne is not protected full-time, as Mr Davies claimed.
Ball drove his Ford Escort Car to get the limousine with Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips stopped as it was going down The Mall. After that, Ball used his pistol to shoot volleys through the windows of Princess Anne of Austin with a series of bullets. He was able to get Captain Phillips to stop the limousine and protect his wife. Above: Aftermath of the attempted kidnapping. Ball’s car can be seen blocking the route of the royal limousine
Anne’s bodyguard police, Detective Inspector Jim Beaton attempted to intervene in order to protect his charges but his Walther PP jammed, and he was hit three times in his chest and arms.
At 8.30 p.m. on March 21, 1974, the kidnapping attempt on Princess Anne occurred. After attending a screening of a charity film, she was on her way to Buckingham Palace with her husband.
Anne and Rowena were accompanied in the car by Rowena, Anne’s lady of honor. Alex Callender, the chauffeur was behind the wheel.
Ball had been following Anne’s car on The Mall. He overtook the vehicle in front Clarence House, before stopping abruptly to make it stop.
He got out of the vehicle and began to shoot, as he attempted to enter it.
Miss Sammy Scott was a witness and told Daily Mail that she could see Mark and Princess Anne huddled back in the car.
They were opposite the gunman. A man fell in front of my eyes. It was clear that he had been shot. His blood was everywhere. He laid on the ground.
“Another man came running, I believe a detective. He said, “This man was shot. Why doesn’t this guy go to the hospital?”
“So have we.” The detective opened his jacket, and there was blood streaming from his shoulder. He also fell to the ground.
DI Beaton (now in his 70s) was killed as he attempted to intervene. He missed firing his first round just before the gun jammed.
After being shot two more times, he decided not to defend Anne or her husband but to instead use his body.
Later, he explained that security procedures have improved since the incident. He stated, “I didn’t have anything.”
“There wasn’t a backup vehicle. We thought that nothing would happen, but the training was inexistent. These people are now highly skilled and highly trained.
Brian McConnell was a journalist following the couple and tried to intercede to stop Ball. He was also shot in the chest. Also, Mr. Callender was shot.
According to legend, Anne was told by Ball that he would kidnap him and that he wanted her out of her car. The princess replied “Not likely!”‘.
Anne decided to leave the vehicle after others tried to stop Ball.
A former boxer, Mr Russell passed away, and won the George Medal to honor his courage efforts. He led Princess Grace to safety, before striking the gunman twice in both the head.
The situation was discovered by PC Michael Hills, who also got shot while trying to help.
Ball was arrested after Detective Constable Peter Edmonds offered support.
While DI Beaton and PC Hills were in hospital, Mr Callender, Mr McConnell and Mr Callender were all able to resume their careers.
At 8.30pm, on March 21, 1974, the kidnapping attempt on Princess Anne occurred. Her husband of the past year was also her bride. They were returning to Buckingham Palace from attending a film screening for charity.
A witness named Miss Sammy Scott told Daily Mail that she could see Mark and Princess Anne huddled together in the car back.
Along with Mr Russell’s Award, DI Beaton was given the George Cross by Queen Elizabeth II, while PC Hills received the George Medal.
Anne spoke out in 1984, about her ordeal with Michael Parkinson as a chat host. She said that she was’scrupulously polite to her attacker’ because being too rude on stage would be’silly’.
Ball later pleaded guilty and was sentenced to attempted murder and kidnapping. He is currently being held at Broadmoor Hospital in violation of the Mental Health Act.
After a seven month Freedom of Information battle, the Mail revealed that Ball’s excuses to police were false. These documents were due for release in 2048.
Police were told by the kidnapper that Anne was an easy target. The would-be kidnapper claimed he found out about her movements after calling the Buckingham Palace press department.
He said: ‘I had thought about it for years… She would have been the easiest. Her husband was with her when I saw her.
In the Daily Mail, the Daily Mail’s front page article the next day was about the attempt to kidnap Princess Anne. Witnesses described seeing DI Beaton fall after she was shot.
After foiling the kidnapping attempt, Princess Anne, Captain Mark Phillips and Queen Elizabeth were accompanied by Inspector James Beaton (third left) and Ronnie Russell (right).
A week after the kidnapping attempt, Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne are photographed at an engagement. They divorced in 1992.
Ball was stopped finally by Peter Edmonds, who brought him down to the ground after he had been punched in the face by Ronnie Russell, an ex-boxer. (pictured) Anne was led to safety by Ronnie Russell.
Also, the files revealed that Ball had no regrets about shooting three men.
He claimed that the police were trying to get in his way, so they had to be shot. The police are responsible for that. They’re expecting to be shot. “I took the chance to get shot, so why should they not?”
Ball had planned to take the Princess to a Central London property which he had rented under an alias, and to demand a ransom of £3 million.
In the beginning, detectives believed that Ball belonged to the IRA. However, he later told officers that ‘I don’t have any friends. I am an individual. This took much thought and effort.
“I cannot expect you to accept or understand that it was my decision and not mine. Are you assuming that I’m part of an IRA? I would be grateful if there were anyone else to help me.
The Home Office received a letter titled “Pre-action Protocol” from Prince Harry’s legal team. This indicated that they intend to seek a judicial review in the event the Sussexes do not receive continued security while they are here.
Police also heard him say: “I knew.” [Beaton]Would be armoured. “If his gun hadn’t jammed, I wouldn’t have died.”
Prince Edward is still with Princess Anne, and Sophie his wife.
Others royals, including Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie, and Zara Tindall (granddaughters of Queen Elizabeth), do not have security from the state. Prince Andrew, however, lost it after he stepped down as a royal in November 2019.
Last weekend, it was revealed that Prince Harry’s lawyers sent a “pre-action protocol” letter to the Home Office. It indicated they would seek a review of the Home Office if they do not provide continued security for the Sussexes while they’re in Britain.
They indicated that they are happy to pay for cover.