The royal family are often looked at as pillars of society, however, there is one prominent member of the House of Windsor that was convicted of a criminal offence – and you won’t guess who it is!
Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s daughter, was charged and convicted of a criminal offence in 2002 when her dog attacked two children.
It was the first time a senior royal has attended court in over 100 years.
Anne appeared at Berkshire court with her two children Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall by her side, to plead guilty to the charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act. The royal was subsequently fined £500 (nearly $1000 Australian), ordered to pay £500 compensation to the two victims and to pay £148 ($270) in court costs.
The court also ordered Anne to keep her English bull terrier, Dotty, on a lead in public as well as organise training for the animal.
Whilst in court, the notoriously straight-faced Anne insisted she not be given any special treatment while stating that the incident was out of Dotty’s character.
According to Hello! magazine, the boy’s relatives called for the terrier to be put down, but District Judge Penelope Hewitt accepted that Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence are experienced dog owners.
According to the publication, the judge said: “I have to add that these children did suffer considerably from this experience.
“It was a very, very unfortunate episode.”
