Kate Middleton Raises Eyebrows With Frayed Missoni Coat at Official Tea With the Queen

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The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton already is considered a British fashion icon, known for her perfect hair, polished looks, sweet smile and appropriate fashions. She is -- by all accounts -- the perfect replacement for the beloved and stylish Princess Diana.

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But many Brits were horrified this week at the sight of Middleton's frayed-edged blue coat at an official tea party at a London department store. She was accompanying both the Queen and her stepmother-in-law Camilla.

She wore a style that has become her trademark look, a frock coat. But some critics sniffted that the tweed coat, designed by Italian label M Missoni (from the fall/winter 2010 collection), looked like it was coming apart at the seams.

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Naturally, a spokesman for the label (not the palace) cleared up the confusion and told the press that the knit coat was meant to appear distressed and worn out for a vintage look.

This has greatly relieved fashion-watchers around the country, who must have feared that Middleton didn't have the money to get her coat mended properly. It's only a fashion statement, folks. Thank heavens.

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Middleton also wore two daffodils on her lapel in honor of St. David's Day and chose sensible shoes from a British designer Rupert Sanderson.