Thieves broke into Zara Phillips’ car and stole her handbag — containing valuable jewellery.

The Queen’s grand-daughter was “close to tears” after finding her riding gear strewn over the road beside her damaged Range Rover.

The jewellery plus cash were missing when the bag was recovered from a hedge — but her passport was still inside. A source said: “Zara was shaken by the incident and was frantically searching for her handbag.

“Police told her later that it was an opportunistic crime — but there is always a moment of fear that she has targeted.”

The theft — in Kensington, West London, on Thursday while equestrian world champion Zara, 27, shopped nearby — comes just one month after Princess Beatrice’s BMW was nicked.

The Met last night confirmed Zara’s theft and revealed a member of the public handed in the bag. He added: “There are no security implications.” (via The Sun)

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