Now Zara cashes in with her own Crown jewels
Zara PHILLIPS may be the Queen’s granddaughter, but she has always had to make her own way in the world.
now the wife of former England rugby captain Mike Tindall has just added another lucrative venture to her extensive portfolio.
The accomplished equestrian, who won a silver medal at the 2012 olympics on her horse High Kingdom (right), is launching her own line of jewellery inspired by her love of horses. The Zara Phillips collection is a collaboration with australian designer John calleija, a favourite of Princess anne’s daughter, who is often spotted wearing his pieces. ‘i am no jewellery designer but i have had a great time working, on this with calleija,’ says Zara, 34, ‘and i hope everyone enjoys the collection as much as we have enjoyed putting it together.’ The range comprises the saddle suite — a line of saddle-shaped rings, earrings and pendants — and the coronet suite, which represents the band on a horse’s hoof.
The price list has been closely guarded before its official launch later this month, but the items will not be cheap, as each piece is hand-finished in platinum
or white, yellow or rose gold, and set with white diamonds.
Zara has proved remarkably enterprising in securing sponsorship deals with firms such as Land Rover, Rolex and the outdoor clothing company Musto, and is thought to rake in around £1 million a year thanks to her royal connections.
Last year, she courted controversy by becoming the first royal to sign a deal with an online gaming firm. Zara lent her name to video game howrse, in which players own, train and race a virtual horse.
Tindall and Zara earlier raised eyebrows when they sold the photographs of their daughter Mia Grace to hello! magazine for more than £100,000.
Tindall, who has starred in two reality TV shows, told an interviewer in January that the couple do not allow themselves to be swayed by what the Royal Family think of their deals and TV commitments. ‘They’re separate from us; we run our own life,’ he said.