Why Meghan Markle continues to wear her $13,400 Cartier necklace.

[Meghan Markle is currently touring Colombia with Prince Harry, and so far the trip has been filled with non-stop fashion moments.

Meghan Markle's Colombia tour attire proves that she is ready for business, both professionally and attire-wise. Learning how to protect young people from internet damage and soaking up some of the country's solid cultural highlights along the way, the Duchess of Sussex has so far worn chic tailored vests, cutout gowns, silky early fall sets, and even Princess Diana's butterfly earrings.

Each outfit is the best ever in Meghan Markle's fashion lexicon. But the Duchess's best fashion since her ascension to the throne is not simply about the clothes she wears, but about the items she chooses that send a message. When it comes to accessories, there are some that have been overlooked and understated throughout her journey thus far.

Meghan Markle first showed off her treasured choker in her second outfit for her trip to Colombia. For her performance at the National Arts Center in Bogota, she wore a stunning woven dress by local designer Johanna Ortiz and Cartier's customary statement jewelry, a tank watch and love bracelet worn by Princess Diana. [Her Juste un Clou necklace seems to be a new addition to her wardrobe, having previously only been worn at the 2023 Invictus Games and in a CBS Sunday Morning interview before her Columbia tour, where she wore a Ralph Lauren It was worn with a linen set.

After the performance, she wore it again on a digital literacy panel with Prince Harry and Colombian Vice President Francia Marquez, with a “pumpkin spice” silky Victoria Beckham shirt, La Ligne pants and a chunky necklace Matching.

What debuted in 1971 as a “claw-shaped” bracelet soon became a full-fledged collection of similar pieces. As seen on the Markle, it now takes the form not only of an impressive choker, but also of a necklace of profound significance.

The Markle necklace, by Cartier designer Aldo Cipro, was inspired by the rebellious spirit of the 1970s. Cipro rejected the design norms of the time: while boldness and maximalism played a large role in the general closet, Cipro practiced a more laid-back approach. (Before the Kendall Jenners of the world became associated with minimalist fashion, simple aesthetics were not yet mainstream at the time)

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When the bracelet's popularity peaked in the early 2000s, it was renamed “Juste Un Clou” (literally meaning “just a nail” in French). The claw design is a nod to punk design, but today it is a quiet luxury staple. Eventually it would join a collection of similar styles in various forms, including rings, brooches, and now one of Markle's most cherished necklaces.

The list price for Markle's diamond-studded gold choker is $13,400. This is a hefty price, but typical for the brand (the “Love” bracelet starts at $7,350 in gold, and the “Tank” watch starts in the $30,000 range).

Markle's decision to wear the rebellion-inspired necklace after her departure from the royal family is striking. It quietly communicates, in sumptuous fashion, that she is on her own path.