As the Queen's only daughter, Princess Anne has spent her whole life in the public eye.
And from an early age, she has been carrying out royal duties on behalf of her monarch mother. And almost 50 years ago while returning home from a charity event the princess, who turns 72 today, was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when her car was shot at as she drove into Buckingham Palace. It happened in 1974 as her vehicle drove down The Mall and a car blocked its way. Shortly after they reached it Ian Ball got out and pulled out a shotgun. He shot the royal's chauffeur and security officer, as well as a press photographer who tried to intervene.
