video transcript

It's the dress - and of course the model wearing it - which attracted a Prince. Prince William's bride-to-be Kate Middleton wore this knitted lace skirt as a dress at a charity fashion show at St Andrew's University in 2002. Now just weeks before the Royal Wedding, the garment is being sold by Kerry Taylor Auctions. SOUNDBITE: Kerry Taylor, Kerry Taylor Auctions, saying (English): "Well it's literally a little slip of a dress, it's made of silk net with a bit of ribbing at the top and a bit at the bottom and a bit of ribbon slotted through. It's very, very simple. I've put an estimate of eight to ten thousand pounds on it. It's a difficult thing to price because nothing of Kate's has ever come on to the market before." Kerry says she expects the dress to sell for a lot more as there's been a huge amount of interest - predominantly from the U.S. and Japan. People from all over the world are coming to bid on March 17th. When Charlotte Todd made the skirt as part of her university coursework, she never imagined how famous it would become. SOUNDBITE: Charlotte Todd, Designer, saying (English): "It was sent as a skirt, but I didn't actually send a top or anything to go with it, so the organisers or maybe Kate herself decided to yank this up and wear it as a dress, which I think was a great move, it's certainly more revealing." The first piece of Kate Middleton memorabilia will be sold alongside two gowns worn by Princess Diana on overseas visits in the 1980s. The new interest in Kate's dress shows the market for royal souvenirs is still booming. SOUNDBITE: Kerry Taylor, Kerry Taylor Auctions, saying (English): "There are lots of people out there who are just completely fascinated by this young woman, who's beginning this new chapter in royal life." The other piece of Kate's clothing which is attracting fierce speculation is her wedding dress. Britain's Sunday Times newspaper has reported Sarah Burton, chief designer at Alexander McQueen, is the chosen one - although the company hasn't confirmed the report. Regardless who designs the most high-profile gown of the year, it's safe to say it will be considerably more demure than this little number. Joanna Partridge, Reuters