In times of crisis, Zara Phillips receives £90,000 RBS sports sponsorship

Zara Phillips is receiving £90,000 a year in a sponsorship deal from Royal Bank of Scotland despite the bank receiving billions of pounds from the taxpayer.

Under the terms of the arrangement, which was confirmed by the RBS, Princess Anne's daughter is required to be a “brand ambassador” for the bank.

This entails attending sports events and promoting the RBS logo, such as on clothing. It also requires Miss Phillips to act as a spokesperson for the bank.

Miss Phillips is not the only member of her family to be connected with RBS; her brother, Peter, works for the bank's sponsorship department.

RBS also has sponsorship deals with motor racing legend Jackie Stewart and tennis player Andy Murray.

It said it is “working hard” to reduce costs across all of its sports sponsorships. It refused to comment on how long the deal with Miss Phillips is expected to last.