A British auctioneer says she has seen an unexpected level of interest in a see-through knit dress once worn by soon-to-be royal Kate Middleton.

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The garment worn by Middleton during a college fashion show in 2002 was expected to fetch $16,000, but her impending marriage to Prince William next month seems to have perked up the buying interest.

"I am quite astonished by the amount of interest from all over the world, from Korea to Japan to America," auctioneer Kerry Taylor told The Daily Telegraph.

Taylor wouldn't venture an estimate on the eventual sale price, but the newspaper said Saturday it would likely be much above the earlier estimates.

The Passion for Fashion auction Thursday also will include dresses worn by William's mother, Princess Diana.