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Kate Middleton's see-through dress: What's the allure?

March 18, 2011 / 10:20 AM EDT / CBS/AP

Charlotte Todd stands next to the dress she designed, and which was worn by Kate Middleton during a St Andrew's University charity fashion show in 2002, during a media event prior to its auction, in London, March, 16, 2011. AP

(CBS/AP) The see-though dress that Kate Middleton wore at a charity fashion show in 2002 sold for a hefty sum at auction on Thursday - and some believe that coveted item is what caught the eye of the king-to-be.

Prince William attended the event at which Middleton wore the dress, when they were both students at the University of St. Andrews. They started dating shortly after that.

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The garment sold for 65,000 pounds ($104,860) at auction. The price, which excludes a 20 percent buyers' premium, was paid by an unidentified buyer in London. The dress was originally expected to sell for 8,000 pounds.

The sheer black dress with blue trim was initially intended to be worn as a skirt, but Middleton wore it as a short dress with black lingerie underneath. It was designed by Charlotte Todd, who now works at an aquarium.

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