Princess Beatrice has expressed her gratitude after an eBay user bought her unusual royal wedding hat for £81,100.
The Philip Treacy-designed head gear has drawn unflattering comparisons with a toilet seat, a cat flap and a Turkey Twizzler.
But that did not deter 40 eBay users from making 114 bids for the hat over 10 days.
It was sold to benefit charities Children in Crisis and Unicef, who will take half the money each.
Unicef released a statement from the Princess which 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 head piece got a mixed reaction when she wore it for 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 which ended at 8.31 p.m. on Sunday night. A n official 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.”
The auction was interrupted on Saturday when what eBay called “a technical issue” temporarily stopped the sale.
But the site was later back up and running with a starting price of £80,000.
An eBay official said: “eBay UK’s buyers and sellers are a generous bunch, donating over £7 million to good causes last year. We are delighted that this auction has raised so much for the charities involved.”
Pictures poking fun at the head gear were included on the eBay page, including one submitted by a member of the public showing Star Trek characters holding the item and saying: “Fascinators on stun.” Director of Fundraising at Unicef UK Julie Weston said: “We are absolutely delighted that the hat has sold for so much money. Every single penny will make a difference to children’s lives around the world.”