The pink fabric-covered wardrobe went for �1,050

Bargain hunters were disappointed at the sale in Cirencester as competition sent prices soaring.

Bidding for items with a royal connection started at just �2, but many items exceeded their estimated value as a result of bids from across the world.

A pink fabric-covered wardrobe which was expected to fetch no more than �20 went for �1,050 to a telephone bidder.

Exercise bike

An acoustic guitar in a faux crocodile skin case, expected to reach �60, was sold for �320.

The prince and princess sold Nether Lypiatt Manor, their Cotswold mansion near Stroud, in April and decided to sell many of the items from the eight-bedroom house.

The sale took place at Moore, Allen and Innocent's nearby salesrooms.

Other items included an exercise bike and a step machine, although many of the couple's more exclusive items were being held back for specialist sales.

Principal auctioneer and valuer Philip Allwood said: "We have had people e-mailing bids from places including the USA, Cyprus, Scandinavia and Australia this morning."