Ian Ball, the man who attempted to kidnap Princess Anne nearly 50 years ago, has been released from Broadmoor Hospital. The 1974 incident became widely known not only for its audacity but also for Princess Anne’s memorable defiance when she told Ball, “Not bloody likely.”
Ball was detained in Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital, following the attempted abduction. His release marks the end of a long period of confinement. The incident remains one of the most dramatic moments in British royal history and highlights Princess Anne’s courage under pressure.