An unidentified bidder has paid roughly $125,000 for the revealing dress credited with sparking the romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton.
The see-through knitted lace dress -- worn by Middleton at a 2002 charity event attended by Prince William when they were both university students -- was auctioned for 78,000 pounds ($124,472) on Thursday in London.
After what Kerry Taylor Auctions described as "fierce competition" it went to a man bidding on behalf of a collector in the Channel Islands.
"The sale did fantastically well and went above expectations throughout. I am delighted that the dress made a ‘princely sum,'" said auctioneer Kerry Taylor in a statement.
The dress was expected to fetch somewhere above 8,000 pounds and cost just 30 pounds to make. Its designer, 31-year old Charlotte Todd, has since left the fashion business and now works at an aquarium.
"I am totally speechless, and feel very emotional. I really didn't think it would make that amount. I am planning to put some of the money towards a deposit for a house, but perhaps I may use some to change my career," said Todd.
It was initially intended to be worn as a skirt, but Middleton wore it as a short dress with black lingerie underneath.
The auction included other items from recent royal history including two dresses worn by William's mother, Diana the Princess of Wales, which went for 30,000 pounds and 36,000 pounds.
With files from Associated Press
