The dress worn by Kate Middleton to announce her engagement to Prince William has sold out.

Hundreds of royal fans flocked online yesterday (16.11.10) following the couple's announcement and official engagement photocall in a bid to snap up the striking £385 Issa London gown.

The brunette beauty is fast becoming a style icon, and is said to have started wearing pieces by Brazilian-born designer Daniella Issa Helayel - who is now earmarked to design Kate's wedding dress next year - to avoid turning up to events in the same outfits as other guests.

Meanwhile, speculation of the date of the impending royal nuptials has been mounting, with many commentators now believing the wedding will take place on July 8 at either St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey or the Chapel Royal at St James's Palace.

So far, the palace has confirmed the event will take place in either the spring or summer of 2011, but no other details have been released.

Kate and William - who is second in line to the British throne - announced their plans to wed after nearly nine years of dating following their first meeting while studying at St. Andrew's University in Scotland.