Ronnie Russell, 72, became an overnight hero when he came to the rescue of the Princess Royal, after she had been targeted by Ian Ball. Mr Russell said that in recent years his health had started to deteriorate after suffering several strokes and he did not want to burden his family with the funeral costs. He told ITV’s This Morning on Tuesday that he had always “vowed” to never sell the medal and felt as though he was “betraying’ the monarch.

The former heavyweight boxer, who used to train at the same Bethnal Green club as the Kray twins, said: “I feel very sad about it.

“I was honoured receiving it, but I have been forced into the situation.”

He was awarded the honour by the Queen on November 26 in 1974.

The medal has now been valued at between £15,000 and £20,000 by the auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb.

It will be auctioned off along with other memorabilia, including a Downing Street letter informing Mr Russell of the award and a telegram of congratulations from Anne herself.

The kidnap drama unfolded as Anne and her then husband Mark Phillips were on their way to Buckingham Palace, having earlier attended a charity event on the Pall Mall.

They were forced to stop by Mr Ball’s Ford Escort, who jumped out of his car and started firing his pistol.

In the ensuing mayhem, the Princess Royal’s personal detective and chauffeur suffered gun shot wounds, but Anne and her husband escaped unscathed.

JUST IN: Kate Middleton and Prince William wince at awkward royal family jibe

At the time of the kidnap attempt, the 28-year-old heavyweight fighter was on his way back home to Kent via the Pall Mall, when he came across the incident.

The 6ft 2in and 17 stone boxer leapt to the rescue of the stricken royals, punching Mr Ball and then acting as the princess’ human shield.

He admitted that he thought he was going to die and recalled: “I still believe that the life of a member of the Royal Family is much more important than mine.

“I just stood rigid and braced myself, waiting for the shot I expected to come and hit me in the back.”

DON’T MISS

Royal shock: Kate and William to carry on handshaking despite virus [Latest]
Kate and William give rare public display of affection during visit  [Update]
Meghan Markle gets sweet endorsement from ice-cream company [Latest]

Mr Ball was arrested and charged with attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and attempting to kidnap Anne.

He had planned to place a £3 million ransom on her head.

An Old Bailey judge sent him to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital, where remains detained under the Mental Health Act.

Throughout the ordeal, the Princess Royal remained calm and composed, famously telling the chat show host Michael Parkinson that she was “scrupulously polite” to Mr Ball because she thought it would “silly to be rude at that stage”.

Last week Princess Anne expressed her condolences to the family of Debbie Zurick, who died from serious gunshot wounds a week last Saturday.

Mrs Zurick, a dog breeder, and the Princess Royal became friends through their passion for gun dogs.

A spokesman for Princess Anne said: “The Princess Royal is saddened to hear of the death of Mrs Debbie Zurick. She will be sorely missed as secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society.”

John Zurick, 67, allegedly shot his estranged wife Debbie on Saturday afternoon at their cottage in Winsford, near Minehead, after learning that she had a new boyfriend.

He then turned the gun on himself and was airlifted to hospital after paramedics were called to the scene.

Source: Read Full Article