Below is the text of the statement made by Roy Jenkins, the then Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 20 March 1974.
I regret to have to report to the House that an attempt was made by an armed man to kidnap Princess Anne at about 8 p.m. this evening when she was on her way back to Buckingham Palace with her husband.
The attempt did not succeed, and neither the Princess nor Captain Phillips was hurt.
I much regret to say, however, that Princess Anne’s protection officer sustained very severe injuries, and her driver, a police constable and a member of the public were also seriously hurt.
A man has been detained and is now helping the police with their inquiries.
I shall report further to the House when further information is available.