Princess Anne displayed her famously no-nonsense attitude during a terrifying ordeal in 1974, RadarOnline.com can reveal as she celebrates her 75th birthday.

Anne exclaimed, "Not bloody likely!" to her would-be kidnapper, Ian Ball, when he demanded she leave her car – a three-word retort that has since become emblematic of her courage. Article continues below advertisement

Attempts To Kidnap The Princess

The shocking incident occurred on 20 March 1974 , as the then 24-year-old Princess Anne was returning to Buckingham Palace with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, 30, and her bodyguard, Jim Beaton.

Their vehicle was approaching The Mall in London when Ball, armed with a shotgun, blocked their car and opened fire.

Shots struck the Princess's chauffeur, Alexander Callende

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