She had every right to be grim faced after a French magazine published topless pictures of her on holiday.

But in a show of unbelievable strength the Duchess of Cambridge managed to smile and laugh her way through a Diamond Jubilee tea party at the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

Kate, wearing an elegant ice blue lace dress by Alice Temperley, her hair pulled back in a bun and held in place with pearl-headed pins, sipped tea and chatted to several guests including shoe designer Jimmy Choo.

The couple announced this afternoon they had launched legal proceedings against the publisher of the French magazine.

Earlier, Kate appeared determined not to let the strain of the morning’s revelations show, smiling, laughing and chatting to Mr Choo without an apparent care in the world – although William at times did appear to have the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Mr Choo, who no longer has links with the company he created but says he still designs as ‘it is in his blood’ said: ‘I am very proud and delighted to have been invited.

'She is an absolutely beautiful person both inside and out. Very much like Prince’s William’s mother.’

Mr Choo worked with Diana, Princess of Wales for seven years and said Kate very much reminded him of her.

‘They are both elegant and wear fashion well but most importantly are very caring people inside which is why they appear so beautiful in public,’ he said.

Surprisingly the pair did not discuss shoes at length when they met but talked about the importance of education for young people, an issue Mr Choo is campaigning about on an international level and the duchess takes a keen interest in.

But he admitted that he would love to create for her. ‘Who wouldn’t? She is the style icon of her generation,’ he said.

‘She also told me how much she was loving visiting my country which made me very proud indeed.’

The Duke and the Duchess also watched a traditional Malay tea pouring ceremony before heading to the next leg of their south east Asia tour.

Away from the tea party the young Royals showed the strain of the day's revelations and appeared downcast as they left for the airport.