Imagine my surprise when I saw the lovely Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, in her bright red Alexander McQueen dropped waist, pleated dress at the Diamond Jubilee river pageant yesterday. I mean, she looked marvelous of course, but it was a dress that was adapted from one worn by none other than Kim Kardashian. Yes, KK wore it first. That's a first in itself.

Kate did have the neckline altered from a round neck to a more flattering boat neck. She also put a sleeve on it. And she added some length. It needed it. The dress looked a million miles better on Kate, right? Or do you prefer it on Kim? Do please let me know...

Having said that, there were some fashion detractors for the first time in the year-long reign of Kate. There was quite a bit of carping about Cathy Cambridge's outfit this time round. Some said it blended in with the upholstery on the royal barge — a mistake The Queen would never have made. Really?

Others bitched about her upstaging HRH in bright red and that she should have gone muted for the occasion. Again, really? When the entire nation is in red, white and blue, you think it is time for subtlety? And finally, there was a bunch of snippy little comments about the Middleton girls each taking one of the colours (Pippa in blue, Carole in white) as this was implied to be common. Or silly. Not quite sure of the tone. But it wasn't a nice tone.

Whatever. Kate looked wonderful and elegant and seemed to be having a gas as usual, hanging out with her in-laws. And anyone who can do that for an entire day, in the cold and the rain, has style in my book. Well played Kate. Lovely.