The former heavyweight boxer who was awarded the George Medal after saving Princess Anne from a gun-toting kidnapper, admitted he feels he’s ‘betraying the Queen’ by selling his accolade.
Ronnie Russell, 72, from Bristol, was shot at after he punched fanatical loner Ian Ball twice in the head as he tried to take the princess hostage at gunpoint in central London in March 1974.
He was awarded The George Medal medal however is now reluctantly selling it to help provide for his future after his health deteriorated following several strokes.
Appearing on This Morning today, he admitted that while he ‘vowed’ to never sell the medal, he did not want to be left in a situation where his family would be forced to pay for his funeral when he does eventually pass away.
Ronnie Russell, 72, from Bristol, was awarded the George Medal after saving Princess Anne from a gun-toting kidnapper, admitted he feels he’s ‘betraying the Queen’ by selling his accolade
Ronnie, second right, with the Queen and Anne (right) at Buckingham Palace event rewarding the heroes who stepped in to protect the princess from Ian Ball
‘I vowed I would never sell it, said Ronnie, ‘I felt it was a betrayal to the Queen. But I’ve had support from my family. I don’t want a situation where everyone is putting money in.
‘I feel very sad about it. I was honored receiving it, but I have been forced into the situation. I’ve been particularly unwell now. ‘
Ronnie spoke of the heartwarming chat he had with the Queen when he was given the award at Buckingham Palace.
He told: ‘She said, “This medal thanks you as The Queen, but I want to thank you as Anne’s mother”‘.
Former heavyweight boxer Ronnie Russell (left in 1974) awarded The George Medal (right) after he thwarted the attempted armed kidnap of Princess Anne is to go under the hammer
Ian Ball had blocked the princess’s car with his own as it drove along the Mall back to Buckingham Palace, and fired a series of shots through the rear window as he tried to kidnap Princess Anne
Ian Ball had blocked the princess’s car with his own as it drove along the Mall back to Buckingham Palace, and fired a series of shots through the rear window as he tried to kidnap the princess.
The princess and her then husband, Captain Mark Phillips, were unhurt during the late-night ambush.
But her personal detective, chauffeur, a police constable and a journalist were all shot by Ball, who was armed with two revolvers.
Mr Russell was then a 28-year-old 6ft 2in 17-stone former boxer who trained at the same club as the Kray twins in Bethnal Green.
The area cleaning manager was heading home to Kent when he saw the incident unfold and rushed to the newly married couple’s aid.
Appearing on This Morning today, he admitted that while he ‘vowed’ to never sell the medal, he did not want to be left in a situation where his family would be forced to pay for his funeral
Russell told how he originally thought it was a road rage incident and punched the kidnapper twice before he shot PC Hills and tried to shoot at him, missing him and going through the windscreen of a taxi.
Mr Russell said Ball was trying to drag Princess Anne from her car while her husband was pulling her back.
‘She was fantastic’, said Russell,’ A lot of people don’t believe me.
‘It was unreal. You think about what was going on, you expect there to be screaming and shouting. She sat there very patiently, saying “go away silly man”.
The bizarre plot failed and is perhaps best known for the princess’s reaction to Ball’s request for her to get out so he could claim the £3 million ransom money. She is reported to have said: ‘Not bloody likely.’
He was later sent to a psychiatric hospital by an Old Bailey judge.
The Princess’s car was unaccompanied because police did not think the Royal Family was a target. But Ball’s actions led to a major overhaul of security arrangements for all VIPs.
The medal is going under the hammer at Dix Noonan Webb in central London next month.
It is estimated to sell for between £15,000 and £20,000.
It will be sold with related items, including a letter from 10 Downing Street informing Mr Russell of the award, a telegram from Princess Anne and a letter from the Met Commissioner.
Russell told of how calm Anne was in the situation, ‘She was fantastic’, said Russell,’ A lot of people don’t believe me