Kate Middleton's £49K Cartier Olympic-themed necklace

Kate Middleton teamed the Cartier necklace with a Stella McCartney dress and Prada heels for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery

Kate Middleton, who is known for her frugal nature and for regularly recycling outfits, wore a Cartier necklace worth £49,000 to the National Portrait Gallery today.

The Trinity necklace from Cartier caught the attention of most because the gold rings seemed to nod to the upcoming 2012 Olympics - an inspired fashion move, if ever we saw one!

But little did we know how much the jewellery had cost. Cartier describes the beautiful necklace as 18K, three-gold and paved in diamond.

The statement piece sat perfectly with Kate's electric blue Stella McCartney dress, which she teamed with Prada heels, but we're dying to know how Kate came to own such expensive jewellery. After all, it's so unlike her.

Cartier have denied lending it to the Duchess of Cambridge, meaning that someone, somewhere, has splashed some serious dollar for Kate. But who?

What do you think of Kate Middleton's luxe Cartier necklace? Is it worth every penny, or are you unimpressed? Let us know in the comment box below.

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