17 May 2011 Last updated at 23:47 ET

Princess Beatrice wedding hat auction bids pass £18,000

Princess Beatrice chose a hat designed by Philip Treacy for the royal wedding

Bids on eBay for Princess Beatrice's unusual royal wedding hat have surpassed £18,000 ($29,500).

The dramatic creation by Philip Treacy has been likened to a Turkey Twizzler, a toilet seat and a pretzel.

Worn to the wedding of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge last month, it has its own Facebook page.

The auction on eBay, which has had 64 bids from 32 bidders, ends on 22 May with proceeds going to charities Unicef and Children in Crisis.

'Great need'

Australian children's TV performers The Wiggles put in an offer of £17,500 but the leading bid now stands at £18,400.

Anthony Field, of The Wiggles, joked: "We wear some pretty crazy costumes on stage but this hat beats them all - it could bring about an Australian republic all by itself.

"When we heard about the auction we knew we had to bid. We're ambassadors for Unicef and we think it's great that Princess Beatrice has chosen to support children in great need."

The Wiggles have thought about giving the hat to the Australian cricket captain for the next Ashes series against England.

"We might give it to Michael Clarke to wear when he bats against the Poms next time - it would certainly distract the bowler," said Field.