ST. LOUIS — She’s the second child and only daughter of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. And at 68, Princess Anne is also known as the hardest-working of all the royals. She took the title in a list compiled by Tim O’Donovan for the U.K. newspaper The Times in January 2019.
According to the article, she’s tallied a lifetime total of 447 domestic appearances and 71 visits overseas. Princess Anne’s also the patron of more than 200 charitable organizations.
But she’s also famous for her bravery when she refused the demands of a would-be kidnapper 45 years ago.
In 1974, Princess Anne was returning to Buckingham Palace in a car with her then-husband Mark Phillips when another car forced their vehicle to stop. A man got out firing a gun. Princess Anne's personal police officer got out of the car and tried to shield her and disarm the gunman. But the would-be kidnapper, Ian Bell, was able to get close enough to Princess Anne to explain his kidnapping plan.
He then told her to get out of the car to which she replied, "Not bloody likely!" Some reports say Princess Anne even briefly considered hitting Ball.
Ball was eventually overpowered, but two people were shot during the incident, including one of her bodyguards. Princess Anne wasn't hurt.
But it's the closest in modern times that anyone has come to kidnapping a member of the royal family, and it also led to higher security levels for the family.
Princess Anne has been married twice and has two children, Peter and Zara Phillips.
She's also known for her excellent equestrian skills and participated in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal as a member of the British team.
Princess Anne is 14th in line to the British throne.
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