The Duchess of Cambridge -- Getty Images

Wardrobe diplomacy, aka the practice of a national leader (or leading representative) wearing clothes from the country they are visiting as a form of economic and cultural outreach, is back. Diane von Furstenberg just told me she had learned from the folks at Harrods and Selfridges that the Duchess of Cambridge had bought two of her dresses to take with her on her North American tour, which begins at the end of next week. DVF was very happy.

It’s a smart choice for the Duchess. It makes sense for her both aesthetically and politically. DVF’s famous wrap dress was the base upon which all the Issa and Reiss jersey dresses the Duchess has recently worn were built, after all; the original body-hugging yet covered-up line. Her dresses are also relatively reasonably priced, so the Duchess has fulfilled the brief of 1) staying within her own style; 2) staying within her own budget; and 3) subtly demonstrating that she is, indeed, paying her own way.