Oh, Cartier, What Have You Done? You’ve Been “Markled.”
Meghan Markle has once again left her unmistakable mark on yet another luxury brand. This time, the iconic French jeweler Cartier finds itself in the crosshairs of her influence—and not in the way they might have hoped.
Meghan’s jewelry collection reads like a guidebook for high-end accessories that should exude elegance but instead end up screaming, *“Look at me! I’m trying too hard to fit into a world of yachts and corporate soirées.”* Her Cartier pieces, among her most prized possessions, are now rumored to carry the so-called "Markled curse."
The pièce de résistance of her collection? The *Juste un Clou* collar necklace—a bold and unapologetically attention-grabbing piece. Meghan first unveiled this dramatic accessory during a televised appearance alongside Prince Harry. While this design is meant to channel the rebellious, avant-garde spirit of the 1970s, on Meghan, it has transformed into a loud declaration of discontent with royal conventions.
The once-sophisticated piece now feels more like a statement of, *“I’m so over these royal shenanigans,”* perfectly aligned with the vibe of the early 2020s. How did a chic, vintage-inspired design end up looking like a flashy symbol of misunderstood luxury?
But Meghan didn’t stop at the *Juste un Clou.* She’s amassed a collection of Cartier’s most recognizable pieces, including the iconic *Love bangle* and the timeless *Tank watch.*
- The *Love bangle,* originally conceived as the ultimate symbol of understated sophistication, now comes across as the accessory equivalent of, *“I’m wearing this because I think I should.”*
- The *Tank watch,* once the epitome of refined taste, now feels as ubiquitous and uninspired as a pumpkin spice latte in October.
It’s hard not to wonder if this is the image Cartier envisioned for its brand—luxury reduced to cliché.
And then there’s the marketing fallout. Imagine my surprise when I recently saw a Cartier commercial during a casual TV binge. Yes, Cartier—on mainstream television! When was the last time you saw a Louis Vuitton or Chanel ad airing between episodes of reality TV?
Cartier seems to have taken a decidedly more accessible approach, but not in a good way. The brand now teeters on the edge of becoming “Walmart chic,” trying to grab a slice of the mainstream pie that leaves luxury feeling... ordinary.
Adding to the spectacle is Meghan’s choice to wear a bracelet gifted by her ex-husband, Trevor Engelson. It’s impossible to ignore the subtext—an apparent nod to her past relationship. Is this a heartfelt tribute or a veiled warning to Trevor not to spill any secrets? Either way, the message is loud and clear: Meghan always has the last word.
Let’s talk about Cartier’s current image. With $5,000 bracelets and $10,000 necklaces, the brand insists on calling itself “accessible luxury.” But who, exactly, finds this accessible? Real luxury lies in pieces with history—like the jewelry collection of the Duchess of Windsor, whose treasures had true heirloom quality.
Today, Cartier feels more like a high-end version of a chain jeweler, catering to the wealthy who want to appear even wealthier. It’s a far cry from its former glory.
Meghan Markle’s association with Cartier is yet another example of what some call the “Markled curse.” A brand once synonymous with timeless sophistication now finds itself entangled in an image problem. As for Meghan, it’s clear her interpretation of luxury misses the mark.
