The Man Who Kidnapped a Princess for the British NHS

Ian Ball has been an inmate of Broadmoor since 1974 when he committed an attempted kidnapping of one of Britain's most famous women. The incident just yards from Buckingham Palace caused a media sensation and changed royal protocols forever.

However, it did not go to plan and when Ball attempted to kidnap the Queen's second child, Princess Anne, he got a lot more than he bargained for.

Kidnap Attempt

On 20th March 1974, Princess Anne and her then-husband, Mark Phillips, were driving to Buckingham Palace. The Princess was just twenty-three at the time, Ball was twenty-two.

The couple and their security were travelling down The Mall, the main roadway that leads to the palace. They had been out that evening at a charity event. So when a black Ford Escort came to a halt in front of them, they had no option but to stop.

At this point, Ball got out of the car and began shooting at the royal vehicle.

Gunshots and Wounds

The first out of the car was Inspector James Beaton, security officer for the Princess. He returned fire in Ball's direction, but at a crucial moment, his gun jammed and Ball shot him, as well as the couples chauffeur, Alex Callander.

Following the couple was journalist Brian McConnell; heroically, he got out of his car and came to the aid of the royal couple, but unfortunately, he was shot in the chest.

Having injured three people, Ball approached the car where the Princess and her husband were huddled in the back. He intended to kidnap them both and hold them for ransom.

It is thought that he was going to ask for between two and three million pounds to release the couple. However, after arrest, he would say he wanted this money to donate to the NHS as it was underfunded.

Ball put his head in the car and demanded that the couple leave. But, in true Princess Anne, he received the icy reply, 'not bloody likely.' The Princess then escaped the car with her lady-in-waiting.

She has since commented that she considered hitting Ball before she escaped but felt it might be better to get away instead.

Motive and Capture

That evening, however, was not short of heroes. The former boxer, Ron Russell, was walking past when he saw what was happening. He hit Ball in the back of the head, allowing him time to help the Princess to safety.

The last person involved in the incident was police officer Michael Hills, who called for backup on passing the incident. Ball shot him before finally running off.

Ball did not get very far and was arrested shortly afterwards by Detective Constable Peter Edmonds. This was when he claimed the money was to be used for the NHS.

Ball would later apologise for scaring the Princess but admitted in court to attempted kidnap and murder.

Broadmoor

Following the incident, Ball was assessed and diagnosed with schizophrenia; having admitted his crimes, he was sent to Broadmoor for forty-one years. Apart from a brief hunger strike in 2002, he remains a model patient.

He is still deemed mentally unstable and may well spend the last of his years in Broadmoor.

Awards and Healing

The most remarkable thing about the incident is that everyone shot recovered fully from their injuries. This may lead some to question the length of the sentence Ball received.

Bother Mr Russell and PC Hills were given the George Cross for their bravery. Whilst Callender, McConnell and Edmonds were awarded The Queen's Gallantry Medal for exemplary acts of bravery.

Ball's actions alone led to an extensive review of the security around the immediate royal family. As a result, the security was significantly tightened to that which we are now familiar with.