Recycling’s fine – unless you are Princess Kate wearing the same dress

It’s clear that anyone who really cares about the poor isn’t parading on the red carpet - or are they, asks Joe Hildebrand.

It’s been quite the month for alien sightings.

First there were the “octagonal orbs” floating above the US, and then there was Richard E. Grant.

For anyone who missed it, the British Film and Television Awards this week were the site of some strange and unidentified visitations.

This included the host of the event hovering around the stage like an albino Darth Vader, and another attendee dressed like the hot air dancers they have in front of used car lots.

Or maybe she was supposed to be a cheese stringer.

Either way, it definitely wasn’t human.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (right) speaks to EE Rising Star nominee Sheila Atim during the BAFTA awards at the Royal Festival Hall, London. Picture: AFP

And so it seems odd that the outfit which has generated the most shock, horror and outrage was a dress that – aside from apparently costing £10,000 ($17,500) – was perfectly normal.

This was the one that adorned the usually classy clothes horse Princess Kate, who, when she is out and about, is known as Catherine, Princess of Wales.

And the most shocking part was that it wasn’t shocking at all. In fact, it was the very opposite of shocking because – shock! horror! – she had worn it before.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, in off the shelf earrings! Picture: Getty Images

Worse still, she paired said dress with a pair of earrings that were apparently off the shelf, prompting this explosive if somewhat cryptic response from one Twitter user:

“Wearing a dress twice which cost around £10k minimum weak, pairing it with High Street earrings: 0/10 for trying to be frugal & relatable to a UK suffering a cost-of-living crisis. How much did her outfit cost when she went to visit the food bank?”

Yes, it’s enough to make you boiling mad.

How dare an actual princess wear a fancy dress twice and not wear fancy earrings to go with it? That would have been far more respectful to the poor.

Or perhaps she was supposed to wear the fancy dress just once and then donate it to an op shop?

Or perhaps she was supposed to go to the BAFTAs wearing a cheesecloth sack?

Frankly, I would have enjoyed all of those things.

Either way, it’s clear that anyone who really cares about the poor isn’t parading on the red carpet.

They’re sitting at home tweeting about it.

Originally published as Recycling’s fine – unless you are Princess Kate wearing the same dress