Kidnapping Attempt, Affair with Bodyguard: 5 Things about Princess Anne You May Not Know

Princess Anne, the only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, has been a prominent figure in the public eye. However, a lesser-known and shocking chapter of her life includes a narrow escape from grave danger, alongside other scandalous events.

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Scandalous events involving Royal Family members have captured headlines for years, and Princess Anne’s personal life is no exception. However, beyond the controversies, she is best known for her unwavering dedication to public service.

Princess Anne pictured at a reception on November 30, 1972, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne pictured at a reception on November 30, 1972, in Berlin, Germany. | Source: Getty Images

At 74, Princess Anne is often hailed as the “hardest-working” royal, having been the busiest member of the family in 2017.

Known for inheriting her father’s sharp wit, she has made news not just for her public duties but also for her private life. Here’s a glimpse into the more scandalous aspects of her life in the public eye.

Princess Anne photographed at a Three Day Event Championships Representing The British Team 5-11 on September 7, 1973, in Kiev, Russia. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne photographed at a Three Day Event Championships Representing The British Team 5-11 on September 7, 1973, in Kiev, Russia. | Source: Getty Images

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Princess Anne’s Courageous Escape from a Kidnapping Attempt

On March 20, 1974, Princess Anne narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping that shocked the nation. The incident occurred just months after Anne had married Captain Mark Phillips.

As she was being driven back to Buckingham Palace, a lone gunman, Ian Ball, intercepted her car. The Princess Royal, then only 23, suddenly found herself confronting a life-threatening situation just steps away from the palace gates.

The Rolls-Royce at the scene of an attempted kidnap on the Princess on March 20, 1974, in Pall Mall, London. | Source: Getty Images

The Rolls-Royce at the scene of an attempted kidnap on the Princess on March 20, 1974, in Pall Mall, London. | Source: Getty Images

Years later, Anne recounted the harrowing experience in a televised interview. She described how a car overtook theirs and forced them to stop, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

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One of the bullets fired by her Scotland Yard bodyguard, she humorously noted, hit the back of her head, adding, “So that was a good start!”

Princess Anne during a royal tour on November 30, 1974, in Canada | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne during a royal tour on November 30, 1974, in Canada | Source: Getty Images

Ball approached the vehicle, armed with two handguns, and attempted to force Anne out of the car. Despite the gravity of the situation, Anne remained remarkably composed.

She revealed how she tried to reason with her attacker, suggesting it would be better if he simply left, and even maintained a polite tone throughout their exchange, believing rudeness would have been unwise at that moment.

Princess Anne pictured on November 30, 1974 | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne pictured on November 30, 1974 | Source: Getty Images

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During the attack, Ball shot two police officers and Anne’s chauffeur, Alex Callender. He then attempted to pull Anne from the car, which prompted her to make a daring escape.

She described how she managed to open the car door, despite being held by Ball, and executed an ungraceful but effective backward somersault onto the pavement.

Princess Anne during a royal tour on November 17, 1974, in Canada | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne during a royal tour on November 17, 1974, in Canada | Source: Getty Images

Ball’s escape attempt was short-lived, as Metropolitan Police officers swiftly arrived and apprehended him. It was later discovered that he had planned to demand a ransom of nearly $4 million from the Queen.

Ball was subsequently tried for attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in a psychiatric facility. Ronnie Russell, an amateur boxer who happened to be nearby, received the George Medal for his bravery in confronting Ball.

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Princess Anne at Badminton Horse Trials on April 15, 1974, in Badminton, London. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne at Badminton Horse Trials on April 15, 1974, in Badminton, London. | Source: Getty Images

Russell had rushed to the scene, delivering a decisive punch to Ball and wrestling him to the ground, an act that undoubtedly contributed to Princess Anne’s safety.

Reflecting on the incident, Anne acknowledged that she had considered the possibility of such an event happening, given her position in the royal family.

Princess Anne photographed at Heathrow Airport on March 1, 1974, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne photographed at Heathrow Airport on March 1, 1974, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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She admitted, “I suppose the answer is I decided that I wasn’t going to get out if that particular situation arose.” However, she also noted that had there been more than one assailant, the outcome might have been different.

Princess Anne seen at Heathrow airport on July 13, 1976 | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne seen at Heathrow airport on July 13, 1976 | Source: Getty Images

2. Controversial Marriages

Princess Anne’s first marriage, much like her later life, was marked by intense public interest. She married Army Lieutenant Mark Phillips on November 14, 1973, in a grand ceremony that captured the world’s attention.

As the first of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s children to wed, Anne’s wedding was a significant event. The streets surrounding Westminster Abbey were filled with well-wishers, and an estimated 500 million people around the globe tuned in to watch the festivities.

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Mark Phillips and Princess Anne walk down the aisle together at Westminster Cathedral on November 14, 1973 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Mark Phillips and Princess Anne walk down the aisle together at Westminster Cathedral on November 14, 1973 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

The royal bride donned a Tudor-inspired gown with trumpet sleeves and a seven-foot train, complemented by the Queen Mary Fringe tiara. This same tiara was later worn by Anne’s niece, Princess Beatrice, at her own wedding.

The ceremony featured Anne’s younger brother, Prince Edward, as the pageboy, and her cousin, Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones, as a bridesmaid. The event, broadcast in an eight-hour BBC special, concluded with the newlyweds appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

(L-R) Prince Edward, Mark Phillips, Princess Anne, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones on the couple's wedding day on November 14, 1973 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

(L-R) Prince Edward, Mark Phillips, Princess Anne, and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones on the couple’s wedding day on November 14, 1973 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Anne and Phillips first crossed paths at a horse-riding competition in Mexico City in 1968. Their engagement, announced in May 1973, was celebrated with a photocall where Anne showcased her sapphire and diamond engagement ring.

When asked about the pressures of public life on their marriage, Anne famously responded, “Can? It’s got to, hasn’t it?” The couple welcomed two children, Peter in 1977 and Zara in 1981, and settled in Gatcombe Park, a sprawling estate gifted to Anne by the Queen.

Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips and Princess Anne attend the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham Races March 18, 2004, in Cheltenham, England. | Source: Getty Images

Zara Tindall, Peter Phillips and Princess Anne attend the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham Races March 18, 2004, in Cheltenham, England. | Source: Getty Images

However, their marriage was far from idyllic. Whispers of infidelity and a strained relationship persisted, though they never openly addressed these rumors.

By 1989, their marital struggles became impossible to ignore when Buckingham Palace confirmed that Commander Timothy Laurence, one of the Queen’s equerries, had written intimate letters to Princess Anne.

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Princess Anne and Mark Phillips attend a wedding together on May 6, 1981, in Great Somerford, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne and Mark Phillips attend a wedding together on May 6, 1981, in Great Somerford, England. | Source: Getty Images

The revelation thrust Anne into a scandal, leading to the first royal divorce since Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon parted ways in 1978.

Friends of Laurence spoke of his deep affection for Anne, describing him as a confidant who provided the emotional support she lacked in her marriage. “Tim has filled a loneliness in her life,” a source remarked.

Timothy Laurence during the arrival of Nigerian President Babangida at Victoria Station on May 9, 1989, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Timothy Laurence during the arrival of Nigerian President Babangida at Victoria Station on May 9, 1989, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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In April 1992, Anne filed for divorce from Phillips, following his denial of paternity in a lawsuit involving a child conceived during an alleged affair with a New Zealand art teacher.

The divorce was finalized that same year, amidst speculation that Anne intended to marry Laurence. Shortly after, Anne indeed married Laurence in a private ceremony in Scotland.

Tim Laurence and the Princess Royal after their wedding at Craithie Church, near Balmoral on December 12, 1992, in Scotland, England. | Source: Getty Images

Tim Laurence and the Princess Royal after their wedding at Craithie Church, near Balmoral on December 12, 1992, in Scotland, England. | Source: Getty Images

The modest event at Crathie Church near Balmoral Castle was attended by close family, including her father, Prince Philip, and her children, Zara and Peter.

Anne wore a simple white suit adorned with white flowers in her hair, while Laurence donned his Royal Navy uniform. The couple exchanged vows to remain together “until God shall separate us by death,” in front of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother.

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Members of the Royal Family leave Craithie Church after the royal wedding of the Princess Royal and Commander Tim Laurence on December 12, 1992, in Scotland, England. | Source: Getty Images

Members of the Royal Family leave Craithie Church after the royal wedding of the Princess Royal and Commander Tim Laurence on December 12, 1992, in Scotland, England. | Source: Getty Images

3. Princess Anne’s Alleged Affair with Her Bodyguard

Peter Cross, a former royal protection officer, once claimed to have had an affair with Princess Anne during her marriage to Phillips. “She made all the running in our friendship,” Cross revealed about the affair that reportedly began in August 1980.

Initially assigned to protect the Princess at Gatcombe Park in 1979, he later admitted that their relationship grew intimate, despite both being married at the time.

Princess Anne and Peter Cross during the Planters International Cross Country event on April 12, 1980, in Surrey, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne and Peter Cross during the Planters International Cross Country event on April 12, 1980, in Surrey, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Cross disclosed that their bond developed through late-night conversations and moments of vulnerability, particularly when Anne felt isolated due to her husband’s frequent absences.

Peter Cross’s ex-wife, Linda, provided a candid perspective on his infidelity with Princess Anne. She described her husband as a man who couldn’t resist women and noted that they were often drawn to him as well.

Princess Anne during her visit 5-11 on September 6, 1973, in Kiev, Russia. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne during her visit 5-11 on September 6, 1973, in Kiev, Russia. | Source: Getty Images

Throughout their marriage, Linda had encountered two of his girlfriends, who showed up at their doorstep in tears. However, when it came to his involvement with Princess Anne, Linda recognized that this affair was different.

She acknowledged that he was “playing with fire” and could get “seriously burnt.” Cross publicly confirmed the affair in 1985, after leaving the police force and transitioning to a career in insurance.

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Princess Anne attends an exhibition on May 6, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne attends an exhibition on May 6, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

His relationship with the Princess reportedly continued even after he was reassigned from royal duties, with Anne maintaining contact through secretive phone calls and private meetings.

Cross’s former partner, Gillian Nicholls, noted that the affair cast a shadow over their relationship, as the Princess’s presence loomed in the background.

Princess Anne at the movie premiere of A "Passage To India," 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne at the movie premiere of A “Passage To India,” 1985 | Source: Getty Images

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Despite the scandal, Anne’s marriage to Phillips initially endured, though it eventually ended. Cross himself remarried and started a family, but his connection to the Princess remained a significant chapter of his life, one that was later revisited in media portrayals like “The Crown.”

Mark Phillips and Princess Anne attend the Buckingham Palace garden party on January 1, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

Mark Phillips and Princess Anne attend the Buckingham Palace garden party on January 1, 1985 | Source: Getty Images

4. Royal Expert Suggests Princess Anne Commented on Prince Archie’s Skin Color

Lady Colin Campbell has made the controversial claim that Princess Anne is the royal family member whom Meghan Markle and Prince Harry accused of racism during their highly-publicized interview with Oprah Winfrey.

However, Lady Colin insists that the Princess Royal’s concerns were entirely misunderstood by the Sussexes. According to Lady Colin, Princess Anne’s apprehensions were not about Markle’s mixed-race background.

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Princess Anne during the Equestrian competition of the 1992 Summer Olympics on August 4, 1992, in Barcelona, Spain. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne during the Equestrian competition of the 1992 Summer Olympics on August 4, 1992, in Barcelona, Spain. | Source: Getty Images

But it was rather about her suitability and whether she would respect the traditions and expectations of the Royal Family. She suggests that the Princess was worried about the potential challenges Markle’s character and cultural differences might bring, both for the Royal Family and any future children.

The Sussexes, however, implied during the Oprah interview that a family member had expressed “concerns and conversations” about how dark their son Prince Archie’s skin might be when he was born, though they did not name the individual.

Prince Archie, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019, in Cape Town, South Africa. | Source: Getty Images

Prince Archie, Meghan Markle, and Prince Harry during their royal tour of South Africa on September 25, 2019, in Cape Town, South Africa. | Source: Getty Images

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Lady Colin claims that Prince Harry, interpreting a subtle comment about cultural differences as a reference to race, shared it with Meghan, who then allegedly “weaponized” the concern.

In her podcast, “Chatting with Lady C,” Lady Colin argued that the situation was a misunderstanding, emphasizing that Princess Anne’s concerns were related to cultural differences rather than race.

Princess Anne and Peter Phillips during the Badminton Horse Trials on May 3, 2008, in Badminton, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne and Peter Phillips during the Badminton Horse Trials on May 3, 2008, in Badminton, England. | Source: Getty Images

She cited a royal insider who reiterated that the Princess was worried about Meghan’s ability to adapt to the royal institution and respect its traditions, not about her ethnicity.

Lady Colin further defended Princess Anne. She stated that her concerns were those of a “loving aunt” who was experienced and practical, and who foresaw potential issues with Markle’s integration into the royal family.

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Princess Anne attends day three of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2024, in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne attends day three of Royal Ascot 2024 at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2024, in Ascot, England. | Source: Getty Images

5. Princess Anne’s Past Romance with Queen Camilla’s Former Husband

Princess Anne shares a close bond with her sister-in-law, Queen Camilla, who has been married to King Charles since 2005. However, their families have long been connected.

Camilla’s first husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, was once romantically involved with Princess Anne. Anne and Andrew began dating in 1970, but their relationship never became serious due to his Catholic faith, which made marriage unlikely.

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and Andrew Parker Bowles attend a memorial service at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks on March 25, 2010, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall and Andrew Parker Bowles attend a memorial service at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks on March 25, 2010, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

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Despite the end of their romance, Anne and Andrew have remained on very good terms; he is even the godfather of her daughter, Zara Tindall. They frequently reconnect at horse racing events, where their shared love of horses continues to bring them together.

Andrew Parker-Bowles And Princess Anne attend an event on November 16, 1989, in Hyde Park, London. | Source: Getty Images

Andrew Parker-Bowles And Princess Anne attend an event on November 16, 1989, in Hyde Park, London. | Source: Getty Images

Despite all scandalous affairs, Princess Anne is known for her warmth, hard work for charity, and engaging personality. Despite a busy schedule, she never pauses for breaks and connects easily with those she meets.

Princess Anne sailing with The British Steel Challenge Fleet on April 24, 1992 in Southampton, England. | Source: Getty Images

Princess Anne sailing with The British Steel Challenge Fleet on April 24, 1992 in Southampton, England. | Source: Getty Images

Whether recalling travels to Ghana or discussing vintage cars, she disarms people with her charm. A royal protection officer described her as “a gem” and one of the nicest and most hardworking royals.

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