LONDON – Princess Beatrice has expressed her gratitude after an eBay user bought her unusual royal wedding hat for £81,100.
It was sold to benefit charities Children in Crisis and Unicef, who will take half the money each.
The Philip Treacy-designed headgear has drawn unflattering comparisons with a toilet seat and a cat flap.
But that did not deter 40 eBay users from making 114 bids for the hat over the past 10 days.
Unicef released a statement from the princess that said: “I cannot believe the amazing response to the hat. It has its own personality, and I am so happy that we have raised the most incredible amount of money and can make an even bigger change in the lives of some of the most vulnerable children across the world.
“I am so grateful to all those who have taken the time to participate in the auction, I know that with all their support we are going to make a real difference in providing education, healthcare and support to children who are most in need.
“I look forward with excitement to playing a part in providing other children with the great education I have been so lucky to have had.”
The 22-year-old’s outlandish headpiece got a mixed reaction when she wore it for her cousin Prince William’s wedding.
It was described on eBay as being made of “delicate tea rose silk”, and sold for £81,100.01 in the auction that ended at 8.31pm last night. A spokeswoman for Children in Crisis said: “We are absolutely delighted, it’s so exciting. Children in Crisis and Unicef are so happy that Princess Beatrice chose to benefit our two charities doing this fantastic auction.” – (PA)