Somewhere at the University of St Andrews, in Scotland, there must be a former admissions tutor who is quite delighted that all those years ago he accepted an application from one Catherine Middleton.

For last night, thanks to the presence of William and Kate, who met and fell in love while sharing a student house at the university, a fundraiser for the 600th anniversary of St Andrews at the Met museum in New York raised well over two million dollars.

450 guests paid between $2,500 and $10,000 for a ticket for the dinner, supported by the school's most famous alumni.

Willima and Kate raised a similar sum at a private dinner for just 30 philanthropists on Sunday night.

The Duchess arrived for the St Andrews University 600th anniversary appeal dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art wearing a Jenny Packham silk dress that was making its third outing in a little over a year.

She first wore the dress at a 100 Women in Hedge Funds dinner in October last year, then recycled it for an event at the National Portrait Gallery in April.

The money raised will fund new sports facilities at the prestigious Scottish institution, as well as a range of scholarships and bursaries for children from poorer backgrounds.

During last night's dinner, William told guests, "I don't need to tell you how much St Andrews means to me and Catherine. By joining us here this evening you are supporting a remarkable independent institution."

Referring to St Andrews repuation as a hard-drinking establishment, he said, "It's often said by the undergraduates of St Andrews that you leave the university in either one of two states: either married or an alcoholic.

"Fortunately for Catherine and me we ended up married. But for those of you who are parents of undergraduates right now, I give you one tip: ask your son or daughter over the holidays if they know what Ma Bells is. If they answer yes, perhaps remove their wine glasses out of reach."

Ma Bells is a favored pub for undergraduates.

After last night's dinner, Will and Kate, still in evening dress, were whisked to JFK airport for an overnight flight home.

Other guests at last night's event included Princess Eugenie, Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Mary-Kate Olsen, the actress turned fashion designer who is one half of the Olsen twins, and her partner Olivier Sarkozy, half-brother of the former French president.Tom Hanks was forced to pull out at the last minute.