Fifty-one years ago, on March 20, 1974, Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, faced a terrifying ordeal that cemented her reputation as one of the most fearless members of the British Royal Family. In a dramatic, Hollywood-worthy incident, the then-23-year-old princess survived an armed kidnapping attempt on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. Her iconic three-word response to the gunman’s demands—“Not bloody likely”—has become a legendary moment, showcasing her unshakable courage and no-nonsense character. This extraordinary episode, still celebrated today, not only highlighted Anne’s bravery but also led to significant changes in royal security protocols.

The incident unfolded as Princess Anne and her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were returning to Buckingham Palace after a charity event. Accompanied by their bodyguard, Inspector Jim Beaton, their chauffeur, Alexander Callender, and Anne’s lady-in-waiting, Rowena Brassey, the royal couple’s Rolls-Royce was suddenly blocked by a white Ford Escort driven by Ian Ball, a 26-year-old with a history of mental instability. Ball, armed with a handgun, had meticulously planned to kidnap the Princess Royal and demand a £2 million ransom, intending to exploit the royal family’s prominence for personal gain.

As Ball forced the royal car to stop, chaos erupted. He opened fire, shooting Beaton three times as the bodyguard attempted to shield Anne, wounding Callender, and injuring a nearby police officer, Michael Hills, and a Daily Mail journalist, Brian McConnell, who tried to intervene. Despite the gunfire and the escalating danger, Princess Anne remained remarkably composed. When Ball approached her car and demanded, “Come with me,” her response was swift and defiant: “Not bloody likely.” These three words, delivered with icy resolve, stunned the would-be kidnapper and have since become synonymous with her unyielding spirit.

The rescue that followed was nothing short of cinematic. A passerby, Ronnie Russell, a former heavyweight boxer, witnessed the commotion and sprang into action. Russell confronted Ball, landing a punch to the head that disoriented the gunman. His intervention bought critical time, allowing police to arrive and apprehend Ball, who was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and sentenced to an indefinite stay at Broadmoor Hospital after pleading guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping. The bravery of Russell, Beaton, and others ensured Anne’s safety, with all victims of the shooting surviving their injuries.

Reflecting on the ordeal in a 2020 ITV documentary, Anne: The Princess Royal at 70, Princess Anne shared her perspective with characteristic pragmatism: “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. They were like photos, individual snapshots.” She attributed her preparedness to her equestrian background, noting, “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.” This mental discipline, she suggested, helped her remain calm under pressure.

The heroism displayed during the incident earned Beaton the George Cross, the UK’s highest civilian honor for bravery, for his selfless actions despite being gravely wounded. Russell received the Queen’s Gallantry Medal, which he later auctioned in 2020 to fund a home purchase, revealing that Princess Anne had personally written to thank him. Beaton later reflected on the lack of security preparedness at the time, telling The Times, “I had nothing… There was no back-up vehicle. The training was non-existent; but then again, [we thought] nothing was going to happen.” The attack exposed critical flaws in royal protection, prompting sweeping reforms that have since ensured robust security for senior royals.

The public’s response to Princess Anne’s bravery was overwhelming, cementing her image as a formidable figure. Her three-word retort became a cultural touchstone, celebrated for its wit and defiance. On X, fans continue to laud her, with one recent post stating, “Princess Anne’s ‘Not bloody likely’ is the ultimate royal mic-drop moment. She’s a legend!” The incident, revisited in documentaries like Channel 4’s Princess Anne: The Plot to Kidnap a Royal, remains a defining chapter in her legacy, highlighting her as a symbol of resilience.

Now 75, Princess Anne continues to embody duty and strength, undertaking hundreds of engagements annually and supporting over 300 charities. The 1974 kidnapping attempt, far from diminishing her, revealed the core of her character—a woman who faces danger with unflinching courage. Her legendary response, etched into royal history, ensures that she remains an enduring icon of bravery and resolve.