Own the Frock That Caught Prince William's Eye

Feb. 15, 2011 — -- The diaphanous dress that mesmerized a young Prince William is up for sale. Kate Middleton strutted down the runway at a charity fashion show eight years ago in the see-through gossamer frock designed by Charlotte Todd.

William's reaction? He reportedly turned to a friend, Fergus Boyd, and said, "Wow, Fergus. Kate's hot!" The British tabs tagged Kate's turn on the catwalk as the start of the royal romance.

Kerry Taylor Auctions quotes Charlotte Todd in its sales catalog on the famous dress: "If it is true that my design helped change the Prince's interest in Kate from platonic to romantic as has been reported, then I am pleased to have played a part, however minor. I never would have imagined as I sat knitting this piece that one day it would be so important."

The mesh dress was designed originally as a skirt. Todd told the Daily Mail, "If it was her idea to wear it as a dress, she was very brave...I wonder whether she was trying to get his attention with it, whether she said, 'I'll have that, so that I can bag the Prince.'"

Lot 293 goes under the hammer on March 17. It's expected to fetch over $12,000.