• Princess Anne turns 72 today. She was shot as she drove into Buckingham Palace almost 50 years ago.
• The princess said she still remembers the terrifying moment “like photographs”.
• Her car was blocked in by gunman Ian Ball, who wanted a £2 million ransom.

Princess Anne has spent her entire life in the public eye.

She’s performed royal duties for her monarch mother since she was young. The princess, who turns 72 today, was shot at as she drove into Buckingham Palace almost 50 years ago while returning from a charity event. In 1974, her car was blocked in The Mall. Ian Ball pulled a shotgun after they arrived. He shot the royal’s chauffeur, security officer, and press photographer.

Ball tried to kidnap Anne and wanted a £2 million ransom, but she said “not bloody likely.”

In a documentary celebrating her 70th birthday two years ago, Anne said she still remembers the terrifying moment “like photographs.”

Princess Anne told the media source, “What is interesting is what you remember and how you remember it, because although I thought I remembered everything that happened I would never have been able to swear I could remember in the right order,” added, “Because they were like photos, individual snapshots. Very clearly.”

She further stated, “Strangely I had thought it before that, ‘what would you do if…” adds, “One thing about horses and sport is you have to prepare for the unexpected and you’ve got to think through the problems that are likely to occur.”

“I suppose that was the discipline which to some extent coloured my thought processes.”

Anne told Ball she wouldn’t leave the car. Another witness walking by punched Ball twice, ending the incident.

The Queen gave Ball’s four shooters medals for saving her daughter’s life.

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