District Judge, Terry English, has ordered that Princess Anne and her husband,
Commodore Tim Laurence, must appear before East Berkshire Magistrates' Court
on the 21st of November, 2002, to face charges under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
The Princess Royal is no virgin when it comes to the criminal justice system,
and has a criminal record longer than many Royal Subjects. This is however the
first time she has been ordered to appear in court.
Convicted of speeding in the past, fined and with her licence endorsed, the
charge she and her partner face are altogether more serious, and involved
injury to members of the public.
It is alleged that Princess Anne and her husband were walking their dog, an
English Bull Terrier named "Eglantyne", in the grounds of Windsor Great Park
on the 1st of April, 2002, two days after the death of the Queen Mother.
While off its lead, the dog attacked and bit two children aged seven and twelve,
or maybe a husband or wife; the pre-trial press reports are less than clear,
and Buckingham Palace staff are refusing to comment.
No matter who was attacked, complaints to Thames Valley Police lead to the
couple being accused of being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of
control in a public place.
The Princess has said that she is prepared to turn up in court, and doesn't
want to be treated any differently than any other member of the public.
Providing she turns up at court on time, doesn't have a copy of The Sun
rolled up in her back trouser pocket, and resists the temptation to tell the
presiding Magistrate to, "Naff orf", she should be okay.
If found guilty, the couple could face fines of up to 5,000 GBP and up to six
months imprisonment ( at Her Mother's Pleasure ). They could be disqualified
from keeping dogs in the future, and the one which carried out the alleged
attack could be put down.
Republicans, who have been calling for the abolition of the Monarchy, could well
be rubbing their hands with glee at the thought, considering this to be, "Just
the start", of radical possibilities.
Hard-line Monarchists who believe the Royal Family should be above and beyond
the law, will condemn any destruction of her dog, believing that the Princess
is being picked upon because of her position, and that such an unfair punishment
should be reserved for those who live on Council Estates, where such dogs are
much more of a danger.
If her dog escapes an order of termination, others will say this is only because
of civic position, and that it proves the alleged bias inherent in the legal
system is indeed true.
It is often asked why anyone in their right mind would even keep a dangerous
dog as a pet, and it would be interesting to see the Princess remanded for
psychiatric reports prior to any judgement being made.
If it were to happen, there will be at least one Magistrate who can kiss
goodbye to a future Knighthood for "Services Rendered", although they would have
the consolation of taking odds-on favourite position for winning a "Public
display of bravado" award.
