Royal Watch News

Duchess Catherine's hats auctioned

Jun 28, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Duchess Catherine wearing the Aurora hat

Two hats worn by Duchess Catherine have sold at auction for three times their guide price.

The headwear was rented by the duchess before she married Prince William - when she was still known as Kate Middleton - from Get Ahead Hats in Reading for around £100 and they were expected to fetch around £1,000-£1,500 when they went under the hammer.

However, the first, a black Philip Somerville creation with black and white feather detail which Catherine wore to watch Prince William be presented with the Order of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth in 2008, sold for £3,224.

The second, a large black piece by Aurora worn to the wedding of friend Harry Meade in October 2010 sold for £3,720.

Both were purchased by one anonymous bidder.

The lots also included rental receipts and diary entries showing Catherine's appointments at the store.

The hats were held as part of the Kerry Taylor 'Passion for Fashion' auction - the same auction house which last year sold the see-through dress the duchess wore at a university fashion show for £78,000.

Because Catherine is now a member of the royal family, auction houses are unable to put any items previously owned by her up for sale, unless she sanctions a charity auction.