Nearly five decades after one of the most audacious attacks on the British royal family, the man convicted of attempting to kidnap Princess Anne in 1974 has publicly declared his innocence. The shocking incident, which unfolded on The Mall in London, left the nation in disbelief and raised serious questions about royal security.
The Infamous 1974 Incident
On March 20, 1974, Princess Anne and her then-husband Captain Mark Phillips were returning to Buckingham Palace when their car was ambushed. A gunman fired multiple shots, wounding four people including Anne's personal protection officer and a journalist. The attacker, later identified as Ian Ball, allegedly attempted to force the princess into another vehicle while demanding a £2 million ransom.
Fresh Claims of Innocence
Now, Ball claims he was wrongly convicted. In recent statements, he argues that crucial evidence was overlooked and maintains he never intended to harm the princess. "The truth has been buried for too long," Ball stated, though he provided no new evidence to support his claims.
Impact on Royal Security
The failed kidnapping attempt led to a major overhaul of royal protection measures. Security experts describe it as a watershed moment that exposed glaring vulnerabilities in how the royal family was guarded. Today's sophisticated protection protocols for senior royals can trace their origins back to lessons learned from this incident.
As historians and legal experts revisit this dark chapter in royal history, questions remain about whether all aspects of the case were properly investigated. With Ball's persistent claims of innocence, the 1974 attack on Princess Anne continues to fascinate and disturb in equal measure.
