Diana’s lady-in-waiting handed ‘catastrophic’ driving ban despite plea over brother’s care

Diana, one of the Princess of Wales’s most trusted ladies-in-waiting, was banned from driving for six months after failing to convince judges she should be exempt from a ban on caring for her brother.

Anne Beckwith-Smith, 74, told magistrates it would be “a disaster” to have her license taken away and criticized the standard of public transport in Salisbury, where her brother lives in a care home.

He received 12 demerit points on his license after pleading guilty to speeding last summer and argued at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday that the ban would cause “extraordinary distress” to his brother.

“Routine is vital in her life,” she said, describing how she went to her care home in Salisbury, Wiltshire, two or three times a week.

“I believe the impact will be quite significant because I cannot be there just to reassure him, especially in an emergency.”

Beckwith-Smith gave the court an address in South Kensington, London, at the start of the hearing and told the judges about a possible route using public transport from London to the care home.

“I am afraid to say that public transport in Salisbury is not as good as in London,” he said.

However, upon questioning by prosecutor Oliver Hall, Beckwith-Smith revealed that he had a second home in Salisbury.

Mr. Hall said, “You have an address in Salisbury; is there any reason you didn’t mention that?” and Beckwith-Smith replied: “Nobody ever asked me.”

The prosecutor asked, before turning to the window and saying, “Do you have the potential to have a nice summer in this country?” he asked. “Today is a beautiful day.”

“Yes, but what about tomorrow,” Beckwith-Smith replied, before admitting that she “cannot deny” that it was possible to live in Salisbury for six months and get to the care home by public transport.

Three judges rejected Beckwith-Smith’s bid to be exempt from the ban, disqualifying him from driving for the next six months and ordering him to pay a £307 fine, £130 costs and a £123 victim surcharge.

Chief judge Isobel Vass said: “We do not underestimate your brother’s medical and care needs and the circumstances in which he is currently in a care home.

“We also note your determination and determination to visit him regularly.

“However, we believe that you can fulfill your responsibilities towards your brother by being in this region for a few days every week.”

Beckwith-Smith was Diana’s longest-serving lady-in-waiting and was also appointed assistant private secretary.

They were regularly photographed together and reportedly formed a close bond.

After leaving the royal service, he spent 24 years working at the Tate.

Beckwith-Smith found himself in court after speeding at 36mph in a 30mph zone in his Audi Q2 in South Street, Wilton, Wiltshire, on August 7 last year.

The court heard he already had nine points on his license for two traffic offenses in October 2022 and a third traffic offense in April last year.

After describing his health problems, he said, “I’m sorry for wasting all your time on this, but I think it’s important to emphasize that this will be a challenge for my brother.”

“I am his closest relative, I am not married and he is not married either.

“I am concerned with his financial and medical affairs, within reason and his general well-being.”

The 77-year-old said he visits his brother two or three times a week and checks on the care he is receiving.

“I just stopped by; I quite like doing that because it keeps them on their toes,” he said from the witness stand.

He said care staff were “constantly changing”, adding: “They have endless notes and I don’t think they read them most of the time – these days they’re working on iPads.

“I feel very responsible to make sure your routine sticks to the basics.”

Referring to the impact of the driving ban on his own life, he added: “Personally, it would be quite disastrous.

“We have incredibly good public transport in London, but we can still see our friends and family in the country.”

Questioned by Mr Hall, Beckwith-Smith said she could live at the family home in Salisbury and accepted bus stops outside.

Beckwith-Smith also told the court she was “comfortable” financially and might consider taking a taxi.

He pleaded guilty to exceeding the speed limit of 30 miles per hour and left court in the passenger seat of a waiting car.