'I worked for Royal Family and had to make bizarre check in case Princess Anne was jailed'

'I worked for Royal Family and had to make bizarre check in case Princess Anne was jailed' A former royal aide has revealed the unusual preparations that were made before Princess Anne faced court over an incident involving one of her dogs A former royal aide has revealed an extraordinary security precaution that had to be taken before Princess Anne appeared in court. Ailsa Anderson, who served as Press Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, was speaking to The Sun’s Royal Exclusive host Matt Wilkinson and royal journalist Phil Dampier when she recalled the remarkable preparations surrounding the case. It came after Princess Anne pleaded guilty to an offence involving one of her dogs — but behind the scenes, royal officials had to prepare for an outcome nobody wanted to see. Ailsa explained that she had been present at Slough Magistrates’ Court in 2002, where the Princess Royal faced the charge after her English bull terrier, known as Dotty, attacked two children. The former royal staff member said: “I was there in Slough Magistrates’ Court. She lost control of her dogs. She pleaded guilty.” But the conversation then took an unexpected turn. “Yeah. Again, we had to recce the courts beforehand and look at the jails downstairs just in case they pushed her down.” Phil initially remembered the incident as involving a cyclist, before Anderson clarified: “No, it was children. It was a child in Windsor Great Park.” Matt then asked: “Sorry, sorry. You had to check the cells?” Ailsa replied: “Yes, just in case she was sent down.” Matt then asked: “That could have happened?” before Ailsa confirmed: “We checked the cells.” The extraordinary preparations were carried out for security reasons, with Ailsa explaining that officials needed to know what was inside the cells and who might be there. “There were a few,” she said when asked whether there were criminals downstairs. Asked whether the cells were suitable for a member of the royal family, she replied: “They were basic, Matt. They were basic. Not quite what she was used to, right? But she didn’t have to go to any of these cells.” Princess Anne ultimately avoided prison, receiving a £500 fine and being ordered to pay £500 compensation. She was also ordered to pay £148 in court costs, while Dotty had to be kept on a lead in public and undergo training. The case was particularly significant as it marked the first time a senior member of the Royal Family had been convicted of a criminal offence. No other senior royal had attended court for around a century. The case against Anne’s husband, Commodore Tim Laurence, was dropped shortly after the hearing began. The Princess Royal’s punishment was criticised by members of the victims’ families, who were angry that Dotty was not ordered to be put down. District Judge Penelope Hewitt said the couple were experienced dog owners, but warned that another incident could result in the animal being destroyed. Despite the preparations made in case Anne was sent to prison, Anderson confirmed the Princess never actually saw the cells herself. Matt then asked: “Did she go to look at them herself?” “No. No,” Ailsa replied.