Brigitte Bardot in her 1950s heyday

In case you are wondering whether this post is just an excuse to put up a beach shot of La Bardot in her prime, think again. This is serious.

The now formidable Grande Dame has been giving advice to Kate Middleton on how to get her man — i.e. Prince William.

Brigitte, of course, has spent many years supporting animal cruelty causes and has a reputation for eccentricity where furry creatures are concerned.

Not surprisingly perhaps she has reacted sharply to the pictures of Kate out shooting at Balmoral with Prince Charles, and later, her best guy. Bardot thinks Kate is trying too hard to ensnare her chap into a more long-term commitment by attempting to fit in with aristocratic life.

Kate was pictured on the moors at Balmoral recently, dressed in camouflage and dangly pearl earrings — an incendiary combination apparently, although I don’t quite get the allure myself.

Brigitte, interviewed on TV by Daphne Barak said, “How sad. She was trying to win him and his family. But this is not a way to get a man. And I do know one or two things about it, you know.”

Well, whatever, Kate seems to have been more successful with William than the former French superstar thinks.