Meghan Markle made her first official solo appearance as a royal patron of the National Theatre today.
Looking characteristically chic in a pale pink Brandon Maxwell dress and Aquazzura stiletto heels, the Duchess of Sussex made pregnancy-dressing seem like a breeze.
But it wasn't just the dress, heels and signature loose bun that made an impression, as another of the 37-year-old former actress' accessories caught our eye.
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Upon closer inspection of Meghan Markle's fingers, you'll spot a delicate gold thumb ring on her left hand. It's a ring she's often worn, but which makes a rarer appearance now that she's a bonafide royal representative.
And it turns out that Markle's thumb ring makes a powerful feminist statement, even if she doesn't realise it.
Thumb rings are, of course, a fairly normal occurrence in mainstream fashion, with female celebs sporting them at any and every glitzy occasion.
They don't often find their way into more traditional royal wardrobes, though. How many times have you seen Kate Middleton or the Duchess of Cornwall sporting thumb jewellery?
And there might just be a reason for that.
While thinking on their history might inspire nostalgia for 90s pop culture and celebs with frosted lipgloss and space buns, the real provenance of the thumb ring is rather more impressive.
According to the MET Museum, though there is some notion that thumb rings date back to ancient Egypt, some of the oldest real life evidence of thumb rings belongs to the 16th and 17th centuries and, here's the interesting part, they weren't worn by women.
As the MET goes on to explain, thumb rings were traditionally worn by archers, to help give them a better grip on their bow (and arrow) and also to protect their thumb against injury.
But more than this, 'as archery was considered a noble sporting exercise, thumb rings [...] were worn as symbols of elevated social status.'
So somehow, Meghan Markle's ring, even if she's not actually aware, is emblematic of both her regal status, but also positions her as a fighter equal to the male archers who once wore these rings.
Considering Markle has made many a feminist statement during her time in the public eye, it follows that she might actually be aware of the subversive quality of her thumb accessory.
On purpose or not, we're a sucker for a power statement, so naturally we love it.
Fancy a thumb ring like Meghan's? We got you girl.
8 Chic Thumb Rings To Buy Now
Monica Vinader Gold Vermeil Signature Thin Ring
