A mysterious buyer snapped up the only original life portrait of Prince William before it even made it to the wall of a London gallery.

The portrait of William was among four royal portraits set to be offered for sale at Agnew's gallery in Mayfair. The asking price for each portrait was €172,400.

The other three paintings included one of the entire royal family and two of the late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

"People started ringing up on Monday, and all of the studies have been reserved," said Agnew's director Christopher Kingzet.

John Wonnacott's portrait of the prince studying at age 17 was sold for the asking price of 100,000 pounds (about $177,000), according to BBC.


"I'm the one person who has painted him", the artist said. "I suppose it was rather a special thing. Every girl in the country is jealous of me".

John Wonnacott painted live studies of six royal family members while working on a painting to celebrate the Queen Mother's 100th birthday in 2000. The finished painting is housed in the National Portrait Gallery.

The artist recalled that William, then 17, was an easy subject. The prince wore his Eton uniform, including a waistcoat and bow tie, for the portrait.