Royalty often seems untouchable, living in a world of privilege and security.
But history tells a different story — many monarchs have faced sudden, life-threatening dangers, some closer than you might imagine.
On the latest episode of The Mail’s podcast Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things, historian Kate Williams and royal biographer Robert Hardman explore some of the most surprising and chilling assassination attempts on British monarchs.
From dramatic escapes to calm reactions in the face of peril, the stories reveal how close some Royals have come to disaster — and how ordinary people sometimes changed history in an instant.
Edward VIII’s Narrow Escape in Hyde Park
One of the lesser-known tales comes from 1936, during the short reign of Edward VIII.
Although he was king for just eleven months before his famous abdication, Edward survived a chilling assassination attempt that summer in London’s Hyde Park.
The King was riding on horseback, attending an army regimental ceremony as part of his royal duties.
Crowds had gathered to see their new monarch, but among them was George McMahon — a man with a shadowy past as a fraudster and gunrunner linked to fascist Italy.
McMahon concealed a revolver inside a folded newspaper, planning to shoot the King as he passed by.
But what happened next was a stroke of luck, and quick thinking, that saved Edward’s life.
A Heroic Bystander Saves the Day
According to Kate Williams, as the King rode past, a woman named Alice Lawrence noticed McMahon acting suspiciously.
Standing right next to him, she realized something was wrong.
Alice grabbed McMahon’s arm and shouted to alert others.
A nearby policeman quickly reacted, punching McMahon’s arm and making the revolver fall from his grip.
Then, another member of the crowd struck McMahon in the face, allowing the police to arrest him.
Without Alice’s sharp instincts and bravery, history might have taken a very different path that day.
Unexpected Messages from Controversial Leaders
After the failed attempt, Edward VIII was praised in the press for surviving the attack.
But what surprised many was the reaction from international leaders — including some notorious dictators.
Hitler sent a telegram offering “heartiest congratulations” on the King’s survival, and Mussolini also expressed his “heartfelt felicitations.”
These messages, as historian Williams explains, came from fascist leaders who oddly congratulated Edward on escaping harm.
The Mystery Behind McMahon’s Motives
At his trial, McMahon was charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. The reasons behind his actions remain unclear.
Scotland Yard suggested he was a disgruntled Irish journalist trying to embarrass the then Home Secretary Sir John Simon.
However, other reports claim McMahon had ties to fascist Italy and was paid for information on British armaments.
McMahon himself claimed an unnamed foreign power had pushed him to commit the act, but the judge dismissed this as an attempt to avoid responsibility.
Royals Facing Danger with Unexpected Calm
This story is just one example of how British monarchs have confronted danger head-on throughout history.
From Queen Anne’s narrow escape from a kidnapping attempt to Queen Elizabeth II calmly continuing her birthday parade after an attack, the resilience and reactions of the Royals are as fascinating as the threats themselves.
Dive Deeper into Royal History with the Podcast
If these gripping tales of royal peril and unexpected heroes interest you, Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things is packed with many more stories like this.
You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts.