So the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (the British royal couple known more colloquially as William and Kate) have come to the end of their Pakistan tour, the first royal visit in 13 years. It has been, by all accounts, a highly successful five days of outreach. They met with Prime Minister Imran Khan ! And schoolchildren! Played cricket! Saw many sights!

And reminded the world of how very effective fashion can be as a tool of diplomacy.

The rapturous summaries of their every move were matched only by the rapturous summaries of their every garment. It’s been a while since clothes were employed quite so strategically and consistently to send an unspoken, but also unmistakable, message. The effect was refreshing .