A Royal Passion for Racy Fashion

March 7, 2011— -- Kate Middleton first dipped into fashion nine years ago at a St. Andrews University runway show. She took to the catwalk in a sexy, see-through number made by former design student Charlotte Todd.

Indeed, the dress modeled by the princess-to-be wasn't meant to be a dress at all but was originally designed as a skirt. And, as for being see-through: Well, that wasn't quite the plan either.

"It was meant to be worn with say a satin or silk slip underneath," Todd told ABC News. "It wasn't the intention to show the underwear."

Wind back 30 years and Princess Diana was wearing a racy and revealing coming-out dress.

"The dress she wore the first time she was seen in public with Prince Charles after the engagement was announced in 1981 caused a storm," auctioneer Kerry Taylor told ABC News. "It was black taffeta by Emanuel. It was cut so low."

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