Imagine sitting on a quiet park bench in West London, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace—and realizing the man next to you once tried to kidnap a princess. That’s not fiction.
That’s what happened with Ian Ball, now 77, the man who nearly changed British royal history with a violent ambush in 1974.
And yes—he’s out. Free. Walking the streets again.
And he still claims he did nothing wrong.
The Night That Changed Everything
Back in March 1974, Ian Ball was just 26 when he executed a plan that feels ripped from a crime thriller.
Armed with two guns, he rammed Princess Anne’s car on The Mall and tried to drag her out—right in front of Buckingham Palace.
Four men were shot trying to stop him, including police officers, a chauffeur, and a journalist.
And what did Princess Anne famously respond when he demanded she leave the car?
“Not bloody likely.”
From Courtroom to Asylum
Ball pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping and attempted murder.
The Old Bailey court declared him mentally ill and sent him to Broadmoor indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.
And that, it seemed, was the end of a terrifying chapter in British history.
Or so everyone thought.
A Quiet Release With Loud Consequences
Fast-forward to 2019. Without any public announcement, Ian Ball was quietly released from Broadmoor.
He now lives in a supervised hostel near Notting Hill.
But rather than quietly fading into obscurity, Ball has reignited his obsession with the events of 1974—and he’s on a mission.
He’s self-published a book, handed out leaflets around London, and started an online campaign claiming the whole kidnapping attempt was actually a “hoax” meant to get him publicity for an autobiography.
The “Hoax” Theory and the Mystery of “Frank”
In Ball’s version of events, the bullets were supposedly tampered with, Princess Anne was replaced by a lookalike, and the entire thing was orchestrated with the help of a mystery police officer he only knew as “Frank.”
According to Ball, it was all meant to be a prank to launch his writing career.
Of course, none of this holds up to the facts—like the people he shot, the weapons he used, or the terrified witnesses.
But Ball remains fixated on “proving” he was innocent all along.
A Troubling Public Campaign
Ball’s efforts haven’t been subtle. He has been paying people £15 an hour to distribute leaflets inviting people from his past to meet him and share memories.
He uses social media—under the name “Anthony Stewart”—to try and gain support for reopening his case and even offers rewards for “evidence” of the alleged hoax.
He claims he has saved up tens of thousands from benefits, which he’s used to travel abroad—though he admits he was deported from Japan after revealing his criminal past at customs.
Delusions, Denial, and Dangerous Ideas
In his 150-page self-published book, To Kidnap a Princess, Ball mixes fact and fantasy.
He claims psychic powers, immortality, and even credits himself with inspiring national policies like the minimum wage.
He describes himself as a “dangerous working-class dissenter” persecuted by the monarchy for his views.
The book is bizarre, delusional—and frightening.
Especially when you consider that this is coming from someone who once opened fire on police and tried to abduct a royal.
How the Royal Family Responded
Buckingham Palace declined to comment, but sources say Princess Anne and royal security were made aware of his release.
Her family hasn’t spoken publicly—but a relative of Ball’s broke down when told of his renewed obsession.
Some in the family didn’t even know he had been released.
“He seemed so normal,” the relative said, recalling his trips to the theatre and holidays abroad. “But this… this is different.”
The Man Who Will Not Let Go
Despite the passage of over five decades, Ian Ball continues to cling to his belief that he was the victim, not the perpetrator.
He blames the “upper class,” claims the Queen was in on it, and maintains that he was a political prisoner silenced by a rigged system.
His fixation hasn’t wavered—even if no one else is listening.
A Chilling Reminder of a Dangerous Past
As disturbing as his story is, what’s more unsettling is how easy it is to forget that someone like Ian Ball is now living freely among the public.
His actions nearly ended lives and could have sparked a national crisis.
Yet today, he hands out flyers, posts online, and sits on park benches talking about conspiracies.
Will he ever move on from that night in 1974?
As he once famously said about giving up: Not bloody likely.