Land Rover ambassador Zara Tindall is BANNED from driving for six-months after being caught speeding at 91mph in her 4x4 in 70mph zone near her Cotswolds home

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Zara and Mike Tindall at the 2020 Magic Millions on Australia's Gold Coast yesterday

Zara Tindall was today banned from driving for six months after she was caught speeding at 91mph in her Land Rover near her home in the Cotswolds.

Princess Anne's 38-year-old daughter received the ban in Cheltenham today under the 'totting up' procedure because she already had nine penalty points on her licence from previous motoring offences over the past three years.

Magistrates imposed four points today for the equestrian's latest offence - and then imposed the mandatory six-month ban for exceeding 12 points, following three previous offences in February 2017, February 2018 and December 2018.

These were for speeding, a fixed penalty offence and a traffic signal penalty.  

Land Rover told MailOnline it would stand by Mrs Tindall as an equestrian ambassador, but said: 'Land Rover does not condone any form of speeding.'

Mrs Tindall, wife of former England rugby player Mike Tindall, who lives near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, did not attend court because she is currently in Australia.

Through her lawyer, the Queen's eldest granddaughter pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 70mph on the A417 at Dartley Bottom in Daglingworth near Cirencester on November 6 last year.

Police often operate a speed trap on a lay-by at Dartley Bottom - a long, straight stretch of the Gloucester-Cirencester road, and catch hundreds of drivers a year.

Mrs Tindall drives her Range Rover to a polo match at Cirencester Park on May 25, 2018

Zara Tindall during the world premiere of the all-new Land Rover Discovery at Packington Hall park in Birmingham on September 28, 2016

Barry Warburton, representing Mrs Tindall, told the court he had been instructed to speak on her behalf because she is abroad. 

He emphasised to the magistrates that in law Mrs Tindall should therefore not be deemed by the court to be absent from the proceedings.

He said: 'I've advised Mrs Tindall not to drive from today in Australia as any driving ban in the UK would affect her insurance in Australia.'

Prosecutor Farley Turner said: 'Because Mrs Tindall already has nine points on her licence she was unable to accept a fixed penalty for this offence.'

Roger Utley, chairman of the bench, announced that the court was also fining Mrs Tindall £666 plus costs and a victim surcharge of £151 - making a total to pay of £817.

Asked whether Mrs Tindall's ban affects her role as an ambassador for the company, a Land Rover spokesman told MailOnline today: 'While Land Rover does not condone any form of speeding, Land Rover will continue its association with Zara Tindall as an equestrian ambassador.'

Mrs Tindall rides a horse on Surfers Paradise beach during the 2020 Magic Millions yesterday

Mike Tindall (left), Zara Tindall (right) and their daughter Mia Grace Tindall (centre) attend the Christmas Lunch hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on December 18 last year

Mrs Tindall became an official ambassador for the brand in 2006, strengthening its royal connections.

The Queen is thought to have had no fewer than 30 Land Rovers, while they are also driven by all of the Queen's children and most of her grandchildren - as well as the Duchess of Cambridge's family.

Mrs Tindall became the first person to be given the keys to a Range Rover Evoque in 2011 and has presented a women's scholarship, for training in engineering, sponsored by the firm. 

The company also sponsors her equestrian competitions each year.

In January 2009, her husband Mike was banned from driving for three years and fined £500 for his second drink-drive offence.

Mrs Tindall appeared on Top Gear in June last year, with her husband, becoming the first member of the Royal Family to appear on the BBC motoring show 

She was caught speeding on the A417 at Dartley Bottom in Daglingworth near Cirencester (file)

He was pulled over on the M4 motorway in Berkshire on March 15, 2008 as he was on his way to Twickenham to commentate on England’s Six Nations game against Ireland.

The day before, he had been at the races in Cheltenham with Mrs Tindall, where he had been drinking beer and champagne.

The player was also disqualified for 16 months in 2000 over a previous drink-driving incident.

Mrs Tindall appeared on Top Gear in June last year, with her husband, becoming the first member of the Royal Family to appear on the BBC motoring show.