Wearers keepers!

When Elizabeth Hurley presented a recent charity fashion event for Prince Charles, wearing an astonishing 19 different outfits, she gave her services free of charge.

But her wardrobe ended up £250,000 better off.

The model and actress was allowed to take home almost all of the designer gowns she filled so elegantly during the Fashion Rocks show at the Royal Albert Hall.

Officially the Prince's Trust says it is happy with the arrangement.

A spokesman said: 'Like everyone on the evening, Elizabeth Hurley gave her services entirely free and we are extremely grateful for that.

'Any gowns that were given to her were arranged privately between Miss Hurley and the designers.'

However, many of those behind the scenes would have preferred to see the 38-year-old millionairess donate the dresses to the charity, thus adding greatly to the £750,000 it raised on the night.

'It's not really in the spirit of the event is it?' said one source.

'The whole point was to raise as much money as possible for the Prince's Trust - not to walk off with a new evening wardrobe.

'Liz Hurley could easily have chosen to donate the dresses for auction rather than keep them.'

Fashion Rocks saw a host of stars performing earlier this month while designers showcased their collections on an underlit circular stage.

Miss Hurley started out in a low-cut pale-pink gown by John Galliano for Christian Dior.

Her abundant display of cleavage certainly impressed Robbie Williams, who could not resist leering at her and making lewd suggestions.

Thereafter she was seen in a different outfit every ten minutes, also changing her hairstyle and jewellery.

Prince Charles was guest of honour and his companion Camilla Parker Bowles reigned backstage as she was feted by celebrities from the world of music and fashion.

Performers including Williams, Bryan Adams, Beyoncé Knowles and Sheryl Crow are also believed to have been given the clothes they wore to showcase each designer.

But, while the cost of each star's outfit probably ran into thousands, they pale into insignificance beside the value of the couture gowns in Miss Hurley's haul.

They included a £15,000 powder-blue sequined Versace number and a £30,000 beaded Yves Saint Laurent two-piece outfit. There were also items by Ralph Lauren, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Ford for Gucci, Stella McCartney, Calvin Klein, Matthew Williamson and Tommy Hilfiger.

Last night, a spokesman for Miss Hurley confirmed: 'Many of the dresses were made especially for Elizabeth and given to her as a present by each designer.'

Handmade dresses from major fashion houses such as Christian Dior or Yves Saint Laurent start at around £15,000 with slightly less celebrated names such as Stella McCartney or Matthew Williamson charging upwards of £10,000.

Miss Hurley's gowns would have taken a team of designers about a month to complete and would have required her to be present for at least two fittings.

Designer Andrea Elsby said: 'Couture gowns from the major fashion houses can take more than 250 hours to complete and tend to start at around £15,000.

'The kind of gowns Miss Hurley was wearing would most likely fall in the upper end of the price scale, particularly those with intricate detail, a specific cut or cloth.'

Only two of the 19 dresses were not handed over - vintage Chanel gowns which came from the fashion house's archives and are worth around £90,000.

Last night, however, there was a hint that the Hurley Collection might one day go under the hammer after all.

Her spokesman added: 'Elizabeth has been saving many of her couture dresses for some time now, with a view to auctioning them off for charity in the future.

'The Fashion Rocks dresses have already joined that collection.'