RBS Brand Ambassador Deal Irks Britain's Zara Phillips

Britain's Zara Phillips is "irritated" by one of her sponsors. The 27-year-old equestrienne - who is the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth - is reportedly unhappy with her Ł90,000-a-year [$130,000] "brand ambassador" deal with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) because they have asked her to promote their private branch, Coutts, which is used by the queen.

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A friend revealed: "Zara doesn't want to give the impression that she's been bailed out by Granny's bank. She is not angry with RBS, but she is irritated with the situation and the impression it will give."

"She resisted it, but the terms of the contract leave her little choice. She is expecting a hard time when she is first seen out with Coutts's three crowns logo on her riding clothes."

Zara's representatives insist she does not use her royal status to win corporate sponsorships, as her critics have claimed.

Her spokeswoman said: "Zara has always been very careful about whom she chooses to work with in terms of sponsors. She doesn't just want companies who are interested in her because of her family background; she likes to work with people who have a genuine interest in equestrianism."

Unlike many of her cousins - including Princes William and Harry and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie - Zara is not registered with the civil list, meaning she gets no income from the state and has to finance her Ł500,000-a-year [$740,000] sport herself.

The friend told Britain's The Daily Mail newspaper: "It irritates her when people suggest she was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The fact she has had this success is solely down to her talent and determination."

"Her family are incredible supportive of her career, particularly her parents and grandmother, but Zara has pretty much been left to her own devices."