NEWLYWED royal Zara Phillips is joining Hollywood actor Ewan McGregor on a sailing sprint around the Isle of Wight today in aid of charity.

The pair will take part in the 50-mile Artemis Challenge, which is part of Cowes Week.

The royal, who married England rugby captain Mike Tindall last month, will sail on Artemis Ocean Racing with record breaking Hampshire yachtswoman Dee Caffari in aid of the service personnel rehabilitation charity Toe in the Water.

McGregor, who appeared in the modern Star Wars films, is aboard Hugo Boss with Gosport-based yachtsman Alex Thomson and he will be raising money for Unicef.