For his heroic efforts to protect Princess Anne, Jim Beaton was awarded the George Cross.

But the more lasting souvenir of his brush with death fifty years ago today – when mad gunman Ian Ball tried to kidnap the Princess Royal – is a bullet fragment embedded in his hand.

Mr Beaton, 81, was an inspector in the Metropolitan Police and served as Anne’s bodyguard for five years.

Ball ambushed Anne as she and her then-husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were driven through The Mall late at night.

Mr Beaton was shot three times by Ball after his own gun jammed, but escaped with his life when he passed former boxer Ronnie Russell and hit the gunman on the head.

Mr Beaton was speaking today to mark the 50th anniversary of the kidnap attempt the BBC how Ball “shot me in the chest” and talked about the “bullet” still lodged in his right hand.

He added: “We got about three-quarters of the way down the Mall and this white car pulled up in front of us.

“This guy Ian Ball, the driver of the white car, was coming back towards the royal car.

‘I got out of my seat and came behind the car. And he went bang bang and he shot me in the chest. I tried to shoot him back with my gun.

“I missed the first shot and then the gun jammed.”

“Ball pointed his gun at Princess Anne and said, ‘Drop your gun or I’ll shoot her,’ or something to that effect.

‘He shot at the same time as my hand went up and the bullet landed in my hand. We kicked the back door open and there was Ian Ball and he shot me in the stomach.

‘I struggled out of the car, clearly in a daze… walked around the front of the car and lay down on the pavement.’

Ball had used his Ford Escort car to stop the limousine carrying the royal couple, along with Anne’s lady-in-waiting Rowena Brassey.

Driver Alex Callender was at the wheel when the car was overtaken by Ball opposite Clarence House.

When Ball told Anne he was going to kidnap her and ordered her to get out of the car, the princess is said to have replied, “Damn probably!”

As well as wounding Mr Beaton, Ball shot Mr Callender, passing police officer Michael Hills and journalist Brian McConnell, who had been following the pair before trying to intervene.

Passing former boxer Russell, who won the George Medal for his bravery, guided the princess to safety before punching the gunman twice in the head.

When support arrived in the form of Detective Peter Edmonds, Ball was eventually arrested.

A witness, named Miss Sammy Scott, told the Daily Mail at the time: ‘I saw Princess Anne and Mark huddled in the back of the car.

“They were on the other side of the shooter. Suddenly I saw a man fall in front of me. He had been shot. He was covered in blood. He was lying on the sidewalk.

“Another man, a detective, I think, came running. I said to him, “This man has been shot, why doesn’t he go to the hospital?”

‘The detective looked at me for a moment and then said: ‘I have that too.’ He opened his jacket and I saw blood pouring from his shoulder. Then he collapsed too.’

Fortunately, everyone who was injured recovered and was able to resume their careers.

Mr Beaton was visited by Princess Anne while he was in hospital.

He said: ‘When Princess Anne came to see me in hospital it was quite funny because the staff said, “Come on, you have to put something on, cover your chest and all the wounds and things like that”.

“We were just saying, you know, glad we’re all still alive and kicking, so to speak.”

PC Hills also received the George Medal.

When Anne spoke about the ordeal with chat show host Michael Parkinson in 1984, she said she had been “scrupulously polite” to her attacker because it would have been “foolish to be too rude at that moment.”

Mr Beaton has previously highlighted how the quality of royal protection has improved dramatically since Ball’s attack on Princess Anne.

He previously said: ‘I had nothing.

“There was no backup vehicle. The training was non-existent; but yeah, we thought nothing would happen. They are now very specialized, highly trained.’

Ball pleaded guilty to attempted murder and kidnapping and remains jailed at Broadmoor Hospital under the Mental Health Act.

The apology Ball made during his police questioning was revealed after the Mail on Sunday won a seven-month freedom of information battle. They wouldn’t be released until 2048.

The would-be kidnapper told police he thought Anne would be an easy target.

He said he learned of her movements by calling the Buckingham Palace press office.

He said: ‘I had thought about it for years… She would have been the easiest. I saw her driving with her husband.’

The records also showed that Ball showed no remorse for shooting three men.

He added: “They were in my way so I had to shoot them. Well, the police, that’s their job. They expect to be shot. I took the chance to get shot, so why wouldn’t they?’

Ball planned to take the princess to a property in central London that he had rented under an alias. He would demand a ransom of £3 million.

Detectives initially feared Ball was part of the IRA, but he told officers: ‘I have no friends. I’m a loner. I’ve thought and worked on it a lot.

“I can’t expect people like you to understand or accept that I did and planned it alone. Do you think I’m part of the IRA or something? If anyone else had been there, they would have helped me on the spot.”

He also told police: ‘I knew it [Beaton] would be armed. If his gun hadn’t jammed, I’d be dead.”

The daughter of evil Josef Fritzl lives just half an hour from the hellish cellar where her father held her captive and raped her thousands of times, MailOnline can reveal.

Fiend Fritzl, now 88, held Elisabeth captive in a dungeon beneath his house for 24 years and forcibly fathered seven children with her before his reign of terror ended in 2008 and he was jailed for life a year later.

After the trial, Elisabeth and the children were given a new identity – and she married the bodyguard who had protected her after the crimes were exposed. It is believed that they are still together.

MailOnline is aware of the current surname and other details of their new life, but is not disclosing them due to strict Austrian laws prohibiting their disclosure to protect Elisabeth.

However, we can now release more general information about Elisabeth's circumstances.

She now lives in a detached two-storey house about 30 minutes' drive from Amstetten in a small hamlet – and also a short distance from the infamous Nazi concentration camp Mauthausen.

Located just across a bridge over the River Danube the normally snow-covered fields were muddy and boggy after recent heavy rains and the sky was still gray and gloomy as a warship as MailOnline approached the small hamlet of just a few hundred inhabitants .

A gray wooden fence surrounds the orange rust-painted house and security cameras hang on the outside wall, keeping an eye on every visitor to the home of Elisabeth, now 56.

The house has a carefully landscaped garden with a small swimming pool. Inside, ceramic art hangs on the walls, with empty flower boxes on the balustrade outside the house, which has a double garage.

Directly opposite is her daughter Kerstin's house, which is also decorated with ceramic works of art – and both houses overlook flat, featureless farmland close to the River Danube.

The family is said to have settled in the village after Fritzl's eldest son Harald moved there and told his sister how isolated it was.

Locals are tight-lipped about the family, but Elisabeth – who now has long hair – is known to have attended the local dance earlier this month and occasionally eats out at the village restaurant.

A resident says: 'Elisabeth and some older children still live here and occasionally they can be seen in the restaurant and at village events.

'Everyone knows the backstory, but no one talks about the past – they have a new life and people respect that.'

Neighbors confirmed that Elisabeth and Kerstin still lived in the village, but they respect their privacy, so leave them alone, they say.

The local mayor and priest of the local church both confirmed that residents are aware of the family but keep their presence a secret from the rest of the world.

Elisabeth was known to have married her bodyguard Thomas Wagner, who was 23 years her junior, in 2019 and it is believed that the two are still together.

According to Oesterreich newspaper, the couple bonded after spending months together following her release from her dungeon hellhole, and married when she was 52 years old.

A source told the publication: 'They are a couple, everyone saw from the start how safe she felt with him.'

The relationship is said to have given Elisabeth 'renewed strength' on her journey to normality.

Meanwhile, Fritzl himself also strives 'for normality' as he tries to be released from a psychiatric prison where he is serving his sentence in a regular prison.

During the trial against her father, Elisabeth said through her lawyer Eva Plaz that she never wanted him to be released.

Ms Plaz said: 'She wants the defendant to be held responsible until death.'

Earlier, the lawyer had told the court: 'The suspect has made himself the master of life and death. He must be punished for this.'

But last month a court in Krems ordered his transfer after a closed-door hearing was told he was “no longer in danger of reoffending” after being convicted of rape, incest, slavery, coercion and murder by neglect of his newborn son.

However, prosecutors, who did not attend the case, have now filed an objection and a higher court in Vienna will now hear the appeal.

But his lawyer Astrid Wagner told MailOnline: 'The prosecution can try, but they won't win, their case has no chance.

“It will just extend the timing by a few more months, but I'm confident it will be moved.

'I spoke to him after the news about the appeal because he was surprised about it, but I told him he had nothing to worry about and that he would be fine.'

During his trial he heard how he raped her 3,000 times in the rat-infested basement and how he hit and kicked her and eventually had seven children with her – Kerstin born in 1988, Stefan (1990) and Felix (2002) lived downstairs with their mother.

While Lisa (1992), Monica (1994) and Alexander (1996) grew up upstairs in the house Fritzl shared with his wife Rosemarie in sleepy Amstetten in central Austria, 70 kilometers from Linz, another son Michel tragically died shortly after his birth.

Jennifer Coolidge takes shopping and safety very seriously in its new Discover commercial – and We weekly has the exclusive first look.

The white Lotus star teamed up with Discover for the ‘Special for Everyone’ campaign – and with her trademark humor and charm, Coolidge takes us on a hilarious tour of the supermarket with her ‘personal shopper’ in tow.

“They were open to all the ideas I had. They were very encouraging,” Coolidge said Us. “They let me try a lot of other things that weren’t planned and they really encouraged improvisation.”

“When we were shooting, everyone was nice,” the Golden Globe winner added. “I’m a very stupid person. I like to make way too many jokes during our work day just because I’m trying to think of funny things.

And the comedy icon does not disappoint. Take a sneak peek at the hilarious finished product in the exclusive clip above.

Jennifer Coolidge’s latest Discover commercial airs on Monday, November 13.

By Jessica Taylor for Mailonline

Published: 08:06 EST, November 7, 2023 | Updated: 08:26 EST, November 7, 2023

King Charles will have Princess Anne as his bodyguard when he makes his first speech to open Parliament as monarch, it has been claimed.

His Majesty, 74, will be accompanied by his younger sister when he travels to the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday to deliver the King’s speech. Mirror reports.

While Charles and his wife Camilla will make the journey from Buckingham Palace in the Diamond Jubilee State carriage, which carried them to his coronation at Westminster Abbey, the Princess Royal will travel behind them in a separate carriage.

In doing so, the 73-year-old will be the ‘Gold-Stick-in-Waiting’ – a role she once again took on at her brother’s coronation, although she rode on horseback at the event in May.

During Tuesday’s ceremony, Anne will walk into the House of Lords with Charles, where he will give a speech outlining the government’s legislative plans for the coming session.

The position is a reward for her loyalty to Charles, with a royal source telling the Mirror: ‘This is a fantastic addition from the King and strengthens the Princess Royal’s role as his most trusted lieutenant.’

Anne joined a number of state openings of the late Queen’s Parliament when she was younger, but this will be the first time she has entered the chamber alongside the monarch since 1985.

It will be another responsibility for the king’s eldest sibling, who was appointed councilor of state along with her younger brother Prince Edward after Charles took the throne.

This means that if the monarch becomes ill, is abroad or cannot perform his duties, she can intervene on his behalf.

During the ceremony on Tuesday, Charles will wear the Imperial State Crown and State Mantle. Queen Elizabeth II had worn the same headdress, but in later years she had placed it on a velvet cushion next to her because it became too heavy for her.

It has not yet been confirmed what Anne will wear, but it could be similar to the outfit she wore when she played the same role at the coronation on May 6.

On that occasion she dressed in full regalia as Colonel of the Blues and Royals, under a green velvet robe, although she omitted the latter as she rode away from Westminster Abbey on horseback after the ceremony.

It was reported that Anne was ‘incredibly honoured’ when her brother revealed he wanted her to be his personal bodyguard.

A source claimed at the time: ‘The direction of the king’s decision is clear to everyone.

“He rewards the Princess Royal for her loyalty and unwavering devotion to duty above all else.

“The king values ​​his sister as a trusted lieutenant and this is the perfect example of such a relationship.”

The Princess Royal wore her Blues and Royals uniform with the dark green thistle mantle and thistle collar, garter sash, garter star, thistle star, GCVO star, full size medals, KCVO star and neck decoration of the Companion of the Order of the Bath.

The Thistle coat is made of deep green silk velvet with a white taffeta lining, and features a hand-embroidered gold badge and a blue velvet hood with garter.

After the ceremony, the Gold State Coach transporting the King and Queen was in the middle of a household procession of Household Cavalry troopers from the Blues and Royals and Life Guards on horseback.

Historically, domestic troops guarded the sovereign and today they once again fulfill this role. They were accompanied by 18 representatives of countries where Charles is king, who flanked the carriage.

Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace, the Princess Royal led a royal salute from members of the Household Cavalry, before joining her brother and other members of the working royal family on the balcony.

Princess Anne will be present in the audience on Tuesday when Charles gives his speech, in which he explains the government’s plans for the coming session.

The speech, written by the government, will be delivered from the throne in the House of Lords.

However, it is expected to also include Charles’ personal words about his mother.

When Queen Elizabeth gave her first speech at the Opening of Parliament in November 1952, she spoke of her father’s “selfless devotion to his duties.”

She had said it would be her “continuing endeavor” to follow that standard.

The queen followed in the footsteps of King George V, who spoke of the ‘grievous loss’ of his father Edward VII at the state opening in 1911.

When the king stormed parliament last month, he spoke warmly about his mother.

In a royal speech from Lord True, he said: ‘My thoughts go first to my beloved mother, the late Queen.

“I would like to thank you for the sympathy and support shown to my family and myself from both Houses of Parliament, the country and beyond.

“My mother exemplified selfless dedication and commitment to the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth throughout her long reign, an example to which I rededicated my own life in public service upon my accession just over a year ago.

“I remain deeply grateful for the expressions of loyalty offered at that time.”

When the Monarch leaves, a new parliamentary session will begin, during which services in Parliament will return to normal.

Members of both Houses will then debate the contents of the speech and agree on an ‘Address in Reply to His Majesty’s Gracious Address’.

Each House continues the debate on the planned legislative program for a number of days, during which various topics are discussed.

By Lily Jobson for Mailonline

Published: 03:40 EST, November 5, 2023 | Updated: 04:18 EST, November 5, 2023

Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman has been given a bodyguard by soap bosses amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas and rising anti-Semitic attacks in Britain.

The outspoken Jewish actress, 77, was spotted with the burly security man, who was able to guarantee her safety, while filming on location in Manchester on Thursday.

Dame Maureen filmed the outdoor scenes as her feisty character Evelyn Plummer in a long green padded coat, sunglasses and hat.

Meanwhile, her sitter put on a black jacket with a reference to the source The sun that he was ‘never more than two meters’ away from the star, who has appeared in the soap since 2018.

Telling the publication, “He didn’t let her out of his sight, and he only actually stepped away from her when the cameras started rolling to film.

“It is not unusual to see security guards on location, but it is extremely rare to see them so close to one person at all times.”

Before adding: ‘And it’s a sign of how seriously Corrie is taking the threat and adhering to its duty of care to Maureen.’

Last month, Maureen joined 210 public figures in condemning the BBC’s refusal to call Hamas “terrorists” amid a wave of anti-Semitism in Britain – as the actress criticized “bleeding heartless liberals” who fail to criticize attacks on Israel.

The huge range of figures, Jewish and non-Jewish and from all walks of life, includes Sir Tom Stoppard, Lord Owen, Professor Richard Dawkins, Rachel Riley, Sir Jacob Rees-MoggSir Richard Dearlove and Simon Sebag Montefiore.

They wrote: ‘We are a group of concerned British citizens and residents from a wide range of backgrounds and professions who stand in solidarity with British Jews and condemn all forms of anti-Semitism, both in Britain and elsewhere.’

In a criticism to the BBC, the signatories said: “We ask the media, members of all political parties and everyone in public life to call Hamas out for what it is: a terrorist organization.”

After a group calling itself Artists for Palestine UK, including actors Steve Coogan and Tilda Swinton, published a letter accusing Israel of war crimes without condemning the Hamas-led attacks, Dame Maureen issued a scathing response to the “bleeding heartless Liberals ‘

She said: ‘These bleeding heart, heartless liberals care so much about the Palestinians… that they embrace their cause at the expense of all the other oppressed people in the world… Shame. Shame. Shame on you all.”

The October statement, which was also signed by the actress, describes a 651 percent increase in the number of recorded anti-Semitic incidents since Hamas launched its murderous attack on October 7, and the sad spectacle of the forced closure of Jewish schools.

It adds: ‘British Jews should not live in fear because of the actions the State of Israel takes to defend itself.

‘The British state must do everything in its power to protect them.

“While we respect all groups’ right to peaceful protest, we urge police to enforce the law without fear or favor.”

In the section referring to the BBC’s decision to describe Hamas exclusively as “militants,” the stars write: “Hamas, whose actions have directly and indirectly led to the tragic deaths of many Palestinian civilians and Israelis alike, is a banned terrorist organization in Great Britain, but also in many other states.

“The Minister of the Interior and the Prime Minister have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.

“The failure to use the right language – describing Hamas as ‘militants’ or ‘fighters’ for example – creates the false impression that Hamas and Israel’s armed forces are morally equivalent and is an insult to the group’s victims – the dead, their families, and those currently held hostage.”

Inviting others to add their names to the website britishfriendsofisrael.org, they say of their statement: ‘No one thought this would be necessary in the 21st century, but unfortunately it is.’

On the front page of today’s Daily Telegraph, Dame Maureen said liberal artists have embraced the Palestinian cause ‘at the expense of all the other oppressed people in the world’.

She added: “The Palestinians are not Hamas, I agree; they just chose them. And seventeen years later, Hamas has done nothing for the Palestinians other than stealing the millions donated in aid while keeping them in poverty.”

Hamas won parliamentary elections in 2006 and has not held a public vote for representatives in Gaza since.

Dame Maureen also said: ‘I would like the signatories to answer me this question: if your beloved country was under attack for seventy years… how angry and exhausted and how determined to defend your country against future attacks would you be? ‘

The actress, known for the 1983 comedy-drama Educating Rita and the 2002 drama The Pianist and last seen in Coronation Street, said other artists should feel “ashamed” of their support for Gaza.