Princess Diana's lady-in-waiting hits out at 'catastrophic' driving ban amid £560 fine

Dorothy Reddin
Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:35:53 +0000

Princess Diana's longest-serving lady-in-waiting has been prohibited from getting behind the wheel for six months after racking up 12 points on her driving licence.

Anne Beckwith-Smith, 74, appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, where she admitted driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone in Wilton, Wiltshire, last August.

The offence marked her fourth speeding conviction, pushing her over the 12-point threshold that triggers an automatic ban.

Ms Beckwith-Smith served as Diana's trusted aide from 1981 until the princess died in 1997, and was also appointed assistant private secretary in 1986.

She received the honour of Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1990 for her service. Following her royal duties, she spent 24 years working at the Tate.

The former royal aide mounted a defence against the ban, arguing it would cause "exceptional hardship" to her disabled brother.

She told the court her 77-year-old sibling, who is autistic, resides in a care home near Salisbury and that she visits him two to three times each week.

"Routine is vital in his life," Ms Beckwith-Smith explained from the witness box, describing herself as his sole next of kin with power of attorney over his financial and health affairs.

She warned magistrates that losing her licence would be "catastrophic" and expressed concern about reaching him during emergencies.

"I believe the impact would be quite considerable because I wouldn't be able to just be there, especially when there is an emergency, just to reassure him," she said.

Ms Beckwith-Smith initially gave her address as a £2.2million property in Onslow Square, South Kensington, and complained that public transport in Salisbury falls short of London standards.

Prosecutor Oliver Hall swiftly undermined her hardship claim by revealing she owns a second property in Salisbury.

"You have an address in Salisbury – is there a reason why you haven't mentioned that?" the prosecutor asked.

"No one ever asked me," Ms Beckwith-Smith replied.The Grade II-listed Bishopstone House has been in her family for many years and sits just 15 minutes by taxi from her brother's care home.

Mr Hall pressed further, suggesting she "could potentially have a lovely summer in the country" while gesturing towards the window and noting the pleasant weather.

"Yes, but what's tomorrow going to be like?" she responded, maintaining that relocating from London would devastate her social life.

She eventually conceded that spending six months at her Salisbury residence while using buses to reach the care home was feasible. The three magistrates dismissed Ms Beckwith-Smith's bid to avoid disqualification.

Lead magistrate Isobel Vass acknowledged the seriousness of her brother's medical needs and praised her dedication to visiting him regularly.

"However, we believe you will be able to be in the area for several days each week, allowing you to fulfil your obligations to your brother," she ruled.

Ms Beckwith-Smith was fined £307 and ordered to pay £130 in costs alongside a £123 victim surcharge.

The court heard she already carried nine points from speeding offences in October 2022 and April 2025 before this latest conviction tipped her over the limit.

"I apologise for wasting all your time with this, but I think it's important to stress it would be a hardship for my brother," she said before the ruling. She departed the court as a passenger in a waiting vehicle.