From Zara’s car deals to Fergie’s books – the six royals with secret side hustles that rake in thousands
FROM private chefs to living in a palace, being a working royal comes with many privileges.
But there are some family members who chose to shun the regal spotlight, meaning they don’t receive an income from the state and have to work to earn a living just like the rest of us.
While some opt for nine-to-five jobs – such as Princess Beatrice and her sister Eugenie, who work for a technology firm and art gallery, respectively – others have raked in a small fortune from embarking on some very random side hustles.
From children’s books and YouTube channels to dairy promotion campaigns, Fabulous takes a look at some of the more bizarre royal side hustles that you probably know nothing about…
SARAH FERGUSON
Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew divorced in 1996, but the mum-of-two has continued to use her royal connections to bring in a rather impressive income.
From becoming a Weight Watchers spokesperson in 1997 where she reportedly cashed in £1 million a year, to endorsements for Wedgwood China and Avon, it’s fair to say that Fergie is probably the biggest royal side hustler of all.
The mum-of-two, who shares daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie with Prince Andrew, has made several TV appearances over the years.
Amongst them include being presenter of BBC’s In Search of the Spirit, health advisor on ITV’s The Duchess in Hull and executive producer on the 2009 historical film The Young Victoria.
Not to mention she had her own mini-series ‘Finding Sarah’ on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network.
The 63-year-old has also turned her hand to writing children’s books – including the Little Red and Budgie the Little Helicopter series – and in 2021 released her first historical fiction novel aimed at adults, Her Heart for A Compass.
FABULOUS BINGO: Get a £20 bonus & 30 free spins when you spend £10 today
She shows no signs of slowing down any time soon, with her second book, A Most Intriguing Lady, due for release in March this year.
And let’s not forget she launched her very own YouTube channel ‘Storytime With Fergie and Friends’ during lockdown, too.
Talk about jack-of-all trades!
ZARA TINDALL
Zara Tindall, who lives on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe estate with her rugby ace husband Mike and their three children, has carved a very successful sporting career as an equestrian.
She even won silver at the 2021 Olympics.
Since then, she’s believed to have netted up to £1.1 million a year through various brand endorsements – including an estimated £500,000 a year by Musto outdoor clothing.
The Queen’s granddaughter has also been an ambassador for luxury watch brand Rolex since 2006 – where she likely pulls in £100,000 a year – while it’s estimated she receives 200,000 per annum from her longstanding arrangements with Land Rover.
In 2012, the 41-year-old also became the first Magic Millions Racing Women Ambassador after signing deals with the Australian thoroughbred auction house, for which she’s paid around £125,000 a year.
Then there’s the deal with luxury jewellers Calleija, where her equestrian-inspired Zara Phillips Collection earns her an estimated £80,000 a year.
Zara has also had an ambassador role with Samsung, worked with iCandy Prams, was the face of Howrse – an online game for horse lovers – and worked as a golf academy ‘cadet’ for Slingsby Gin.
However, not all of the deals have earned Zara positive attention.
She was criticised for taking a £100,000-a-year role at Global Group of companies which was owned by Hong Kong tycoon Dr Johnny Hon, where she advised on horse racing.
PETER PHILLIPS
Just like his sister Zara, Peter Phillips has never been HRH, so has carved out an income privately.
After completing his degree at Exeter University, Princess Anne’s son worked as Sponsorship Manager for the Williams F1 racing team and was Manager at Jaguar and RBS bank in Hong Kong.
Now, he runs a sports and events management company.
But it may come as a surprise to hear that the Queen’s eldest grandson has also ventured into the milk industry.
Yep, you heard right!
Peter used his royal connections to appear in a Chinese television advert promoting Chinese-produced Jersey milk – and potentially raked in “tens of thousands” for the appearance.
In the advert, the 45-year-old says: “Bright Dairies has got a fantastic reputation all over China and outside of China as well, for producing high quality dairy products.”
He then tells viewers: “As children, we used to spend a lot of time down at the dairy. There was a herd of Jersey cattle at Windsor and we were brought up on it.
“And it was always much fuller of flavour, much creamier, than other milks that we had growing up. That has something to do with the way the cows are bred.”
So it’s little surprise Prince Philip once dubbed him “the winner” because of his independence.
LADY KITTY SPENCER
It’s hard to believe that Peter Phillips isn’t the only one cashing in on royal connections by endorsing milk in China.
Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer, 32, went into direct competition with him by plugging rival company Satine Jersey milk, which is sold by Chinese food giant Yili Group.
Earl Spencer’s daughter, who is a first cousin to Princes William and Harry, could be seen posing in a green dress with a cup of tea at the British Museum.
Speaking to journalists in China, the model said: “The day of the Royal Family usually begins with a cup of milk or a cup of tea.”
A press release sent out by the milk company made reference to her royal connections, saying: “Kitty Spencer, niece of the late Princess Diana, made an authentic English breakfast tea with Jersey milk and shared the story of Jersey milk and the British Royal Family.”
The aristocrat commented: “Jersey milk has a close relationship with the British Royal Family. At Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the Queen in London, the Queen’s day begins with drinking a cup of tea.
“Jersey milk has been enjoyed by the British Royal Family for many years. Jersey milk is considered to be the finest and most special from the United Kingdom.”
THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they were stepping back as senior members of the royal family in March 2020 and were working towards being “financially independent.”
Since then, the couple have launched media company Archewell Productions and struck a series of mega-bucks deals – including a £100million Netflix and £30million Spotify deal to create podcasts and productions.
In March 2021, Prince Harry took on the role of chief impact officer for Silicone Valley life-coaching and mental health company, BetterUp.
Meanwhile, Meghan invested in a California based start-up business Clevr Blends, which sells instant oat-milk lattes, costing £20 for a packet with 14 servings.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have also both turned their hand to writing – with Meghan publishing her first children’s book, The Bench, in 2021 where she may have been paid up to £500,000.
And despite not being confirmed, the Duke is rumoured to have earned a £17m advance by publisher Penguin Random House for his highly-anticipated memoir Spare, BBC reports.
The royal announced that a portion of the proceeds would be going to Sentebale, an organisation he founded in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help children affected by HIV in Africa.