Over the last 50 years, the Royal Family have certainly had more than their fair share of trials and tribulations.
From assassinations and tragic deaths to attempted kidnappings, fires and health scares, they have all taken a heavy toll on the royals.
Jennie Bond says one of the most shocking moments she covered as BBC royal correspondent was the devastating fire at Windsor Castle – and the way it affected Queen Elizabeth.
She recalls: “As I screamed down the motorway towards the castle, it was shocking to see the smoke billowing and the flames from a couple of miles away.
“I actually thought the whole of the castle was going to go up.
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“The next day, the Queen came to see the devastation. It was raining, she had a cold, and there was debris all around.
“And suddenly she sneezed – and in that instant, she just looked like a poor, elderly lady who had lost her prized possessions and her favourite home. It was very sad, and very poignant.”
The most famous tragedy of all, however, was the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris.
Jennie said the BBC had rehearsed what they would do if Diana ever died, but never imagined she would one day have to report on the death of a woman she had got to know well.
The broadcaster remembers: “I was on air constantly for the next week.
“After about 24 hours, I pleaded with them to let me out of the studio because I wanted to feel the emotion that I was taking about.
“I got to St James’s Palace and I remember a man with a beard who looked at me and just burst into tears.
“I do think the world went a bit bonkers. Yes, it was absolutely tragic but we saw the mass hysteria around the country. It was a momentous week and one which I’ll never forget.”
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The other top turbulent royal moments:
Princess Anne’s Attempted Kidnapping (March 20, 1974)
The Queen’s sister was ambushed by an armed kidnapper as she travelled by car to Buckingham Palace. She eventually escaped but one of her bodyguards was shot three times during the incident.
Lord Mountbatten’s assassination (August 27, 1979)
The Queen’s cousin was killed by a bomb planted aboard his fishing boat in Mullaghmore, Ireland, by members of the Provisional IRA. One of his twin grandsons also died in the explosion.
Attempted assassination of Prince Charles (January 26, 1984)
While on a visit to Australia with Diana, Prince Charles was shot at with a starting pistol by 23-year-old student David Kang, who claimed it was just a political demonstration.
Queen loses sister and mother (February, March 2002)
Queen Elizabeth suffered a double heartbreak when both her sister Princess Margaret, aged 71, then her mother, the Queen Mother, aged 101, passed away within just seven weeks.
Princess Anne fined (November 21, 2002)
The Queen’s daughter was hauled into court after one of her dogs bit two children in Windsor Great Park while out on a walk. She turned up to court herself, pleaded guilty and was forced to pay £898.
Kate’s topless holiday photos (February 13, 2013)
The Duchess of Cambridge was awarded £92,000 after French magazine Closer published photos of her sunbathing topless while on holiday at a private chateau.
Prince Philip’s car crash (January 17, 2019)
The 97-year-old Duke of Edinburgh escaped unhurt after the car he was driving was involved in a crash close to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. He surrendered his licence weeks later.
Kings and Kate’s cancer diagnoses (February 5 and March 22, 2024)
Royal fans were left shocked when it was announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer, found during a procedure for an enlarged prostrate. Two months later, the Princess of Wales released a video revealing she had also been diagnosed with the disease and was undergoing chemotherapy
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