Kate Middleton's Official Portrait: Thrifty Duchess Wears Silk Top From French Connection Sale

The top Kate Middleton is wearing in her official portrait has been identified as you guessed it, from the great British high street, as it is believed to be by French Connection. The navy silky tie top was for available in three colours at £57 and is now in the sale for the reasonable price of £28.50. But before you get out your credit card, it has sold out in every colour but white. Oh Kate, why-oh-why do you always wear things we can't buy? *hmph*

Ever the thrifty Duchess, we wouldn't be surprised if Kate picked up the piece in the sale herself. We all know she loves picking up a bargain and you may remember back in May, she was spotted rummaging through the sale racks at the French Connection store on the King's Road. During her spree, she apparently picked up a Winter Silk Vest Top in Iceberg for £49 but perhaps the navy silky tie top also found it's way into her shopping bag?

Either way, this only adds more weight to the theory that the 'Kate Effect' doesn't live up to the hype. Because the DoC rewears items or wears old season clothes that are no longer in stock, it doesn't equal the boost in sales that you might expect. The red Whistles dress she wore to the unveiling of the portrait last week was also old season - Autumn 2011, to be exact - so wannabe Duchesses couldn't rush out to buy it even if they wanted to (and trust us, we did).

Whistles CEO Jane Shepherson said recently of the Whistles blouse Kate wore in her engagement photos: 'It didn't do anything for sales.' But of course she was overjoyed that the Duchess chose Whistles as she added 'It raises the profile, it’s great, we get known in countries we’re not known in. Fortunately, she looks great in it and it’s a great advert, but no more than that.'

She isn't the only one who has said the Kate Effect doesn't exist. Roland Mouret piped in and said Kim Kardashian sells more clothes than Kate (ouch). 'The kind of people who like Kate’s style are not the kind to rush out and copy her dress,' the French designer said. 'You don’t see hundreds of women running around looking like her.' So although FC:UK will no doubt we delighted to see K-Middy chose to wear one of their creations for the soon-to-be-iconic image, it's unlikely the brand will feel the benefit when it comes to actual sales.

In other royal baby news, the palace have confirmed that Kate and Wills are expecting their first child in July and that she doesn't plan to be seen in public for several weeks. A St James' Palace spokesperson said: ‘Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in July. The Duchess’s condition continues to improve since her stay in hospital last month.’ Eeep!

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