Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Time magazine cover shoot may have been the source for many humorous memes since it came out on Wednesday, but the Duchess of Sussex's pinky ring had a serious message behind it.
The couple were included in the Icons category of the publication's list of 100 most influential people, alongside singer Britney Spears, tennis star Naomi Osaka and Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
While social media users were distracted mocking the "awkward" images of the pair for "bad editing", the subtle message of social justice contained in Meghan's choice of jewellery was almost missed.
Meghan wore a white blouse and black trousers, accompanied by the Duet pinky ring by Shiffon on her left hand, alongside her engagement ring. The $525 piece is actually part of the brand's mission to "fuel a movement for female entrepreneurs to receive equal access to startup capital", according to its website.
"Set with a tiny diamond beside a larger diamond, this dainty and uniquely adjustable ring represents one woman supporting another through a 'pinky promise'," reads the item's description.
"Our spiral pinky ring was designed to challenge the idea that success is an individual ladder," says a caption by Shiffon on Instagram. "Instead, we believe success is an upward spiral, one where we are supporting each other and spiral upwards together."
How do they support women in a tangible way? Half of the profits from Shiffon's Duet pinky ring go towards funding female entrepreneurs, with 11 companies being funded to date, according to the brand's website.
Some of those companies are now funding new companies, too. "Nothing makes us happier than seeing this chain reaction continue in perpetuity," reads an entry in Shiffon's About section.
Other celebrities who have worn the ring include actresses Nicole Kidman and Emma Watson, former first lady Michelle Obama and tennis champion Serena Williams, who is also one of Meghan's friends.
"A 2017 study published by the journal Science found that girls as young as six years old are less likely to think members of their own gender can be brilliant, and that they are less likely than boys to pursue activities requiring that exceptional intelligence," says Shiffon, which was founded by Shilpa Yarlagadda.
"Our mission at Shiffon is to close that gender gap, particularly in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is about taking action and learning quickly, and we want to give women the opportunity to do that while not being afraid to take risks or fail. We are optimistic that we can begin making this change. Through our efforts, we aim to financially empower a million women across the globe by 2025."
It seems Meghan enjoys sending subtle messages via style. On her 40th birthday, which she celebrated last month, she wore constellation necklaces by Logan Hollowell that incorporated the zodiac signs of her children, Archie, 2, and Lilibet, who was born in June.
See more of Meghan Markle's style here:
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Meghan Markle, in a black shirt and shorts, attends the DPA pre-Emmy gift lounge at the Peninsula Hotel on September 18, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a pink mini dress, attends the Some Kind-a Gorgeous style and beauty lounge at the Chateau Marmont on August 26, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a navy lace dress, attends the USA Network's tour at the Pacific Design Centre on February 15, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a grey midi dress, attends the WGC Hosts Party at the Windsor Arms Hotel on September 11, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in pink satin, attends the Rising Stars: Producers Ball during the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2012 in Toronto, Canada. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a terracotta gathered dress, arrives at the GQ Men of the Year Party at Chateau Marmont on November 13, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a fuchsia strapless dress, attends the Elle Women in Television Celebration at Soho House on January 24, 2013 in West Hollywood, California.AFP -
Meghan Markle, in a printed mini dress, attends a USA Network event at Pier 36 on May 16, 2013 in New York, US. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in an embellished LBD, attends the premiere of 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' at Odeon Leicester Square on November 11, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle, in a knotted strapless dress, attends the London Global Gift Gala at ME Hotel on November 19, 2013 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle, in Roland Mouret, attends the Elton John Aids Foundation's benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on October 28, 2014 in New York, US. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in Misha Nonoo, attends NBC's press day at Four Seasons Hotel New York on June 24, 2015 in New York, US. AFP -
Meghan Markle, in Dolce & Gabbana, attends Elle's 6th Annual Women In Television dinner at Sunset Tower Hotel on January 20, 2016 in West Hollywood, California. AFP -
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a coat by Line The Label, announce their engagement at The Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace on November 27, 2017 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in a Mackage coat, visit Nottingham for their first official public engagement on December 1, 2017 in Nottingham, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Burberry, arrive at Social Bite cafe in Rose Street on February 13, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle, in a J Crew coat, arrives in Birmingham, England, on March 8, 2018. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle, in a Greta Constantine skirt and Victoria Beckham jumper, during a walkabout on March 23, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images -
Meghan Markle, in Max Mara, attends a reception with the Commonwealth Youth Forum at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre on April 18, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, in Self-Portrait, attend the Invictus Games Reception at Australia House on April 21, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince William, Meghan Markle, in Emilia Wickstead, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey on April 25, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, leave St George's Chapel after their wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. Getty Images -
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Goat, attend the Prince of Wales's 70th birthday celebration at Buckingham Palace on May 22, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Brandon Maxwell, attends the Your Commonwealth Youth Challenge reception at Marlborough House on July 5, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Dior, attends an event to mark the centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Coach Core Awards held at Loughborough University on September 24, 2018 in Loughborough, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Hugo Boss skirt, and Prince Harry at The University of Chichester Tech Park during an official visit to Sussex on October 3, 2018 in Chichester, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Martin Grant coat, arrive at the Sydney Opera House on October 16, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Martin Grant, visit Bondi Beach on October 19, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the official opening of the Anzac Memorial at Hyde Park on October 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive for a state dinner on October 23, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Figue, visits the University of the South Pacific on October 24, 2018 in Suva, Fiji. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Self-Portrait, arrive at Fua'amotu Airport on October 25, 2018 in Nuku'Alofa, Tonga. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Oscar de la Renta, attend the Australian Geographic Society Awards at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Australia, on October 26, 2018. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, arrive at a public walkabout at the Rotorua Government Gardens on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, depart Birkenhead Town Hall on January 14, 2019 in Birkenhead, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in an H&M dress, visits the Mayhew, an animal welfare charity, on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Roland Mouret, attend the Cirque du Soleil premiere Of 'Totem' at Royal Albert Hall on January 16, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, attend the Endeavour Fund awards at Drapers' Hall on February 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Carolina Herrera, with King Mohammed VI of Morocco, during an audience at his residence on February 25, 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Erdem, and Prince Harry attend a Commonwealth Day Youth Event at Canada House on March 11, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Givenchy, pose with their newborn son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor at St George's Hall at Windsor Castle on May 8, 2019 in Windsor, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Jason Wu, attend the premiere of Disney's 'The Lion King' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 14, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Veronica Beard, and Prince Harry visit District 6 Museum on September 23, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Nonie, arrive at the Creative Industries and Business Reception at the British High Commissioners residence on October 2, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Sentaler coat, and Prince Harry attend the 91st Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on November 7, 2019 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in a Reiss coat, arrives for her visit with Prince Harry to Canada House on January 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Victoria Beckham, presents an award during the annual Endeavour Fund Awards at Mansion House on March 5, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Safiyaa, arrive at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images -
Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Emilia Wickstead, attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on March 9, 2020 in London, England. Getty Images -
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, in Armani, in conversation with Oprah Winfrey for an interview which will be broadcast in the US on March 7, 2021. AP
