Bright hues are not banned for the royals, but nude colors are a more practical choice for official engagements. Although Princess Kate has occasionally glammed up her toes with a bright pedicure, her bold manicure moment marked a fashion first in public.
A Guide to Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's Royal Nail Polish Looks. Contrary to popular belief, there aren't any official rules to styling a manicure. Let's dispel a royal protocol rumor right off the bat: Duchesses Kate and Meghan are free to wear any shade of nail polish.
Kate Middleton's Most Notable Nail Moments - Grazia 2023
Many reported that she wore a mix of Essie's Nail polish in Allure and Bourjois' So Laque Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge, a product that has since been discontinued.
Ballet Slippers was the queen's favorite nail polish
The nail polish sported by Queen Elizabeth on many grand occasions throughout three decades was Ballet Slippers, a pale pink nail polish that you can get from Essie for only $10.
While Middleton has donned red toe polish on several occasions, she's never worn dark colors on her hands, choosing to go with a clear or nude manicure, or in many cases, no polish at all. Most fans seemed to love the change. “My good sis Kate said: ISSA RED NAIL POLISH KINDA DAY and away she went!
“She was clearly angry […] She wore bright red nail enamel, which we had never seen her do before. She was saying: 'Let's be wicked tonight. '” The red manicure is an enduring classic, a bold symbol of elegance and power.
He said that more acceptable colours for the nails included 'translucent or dusky pink'. These colours were favoured by the late Queen, as her preferred look was a sheer and neutral tone, with the favourite brand and shade that she regularly donned being revealed as Essie's 'ballet slippers'.
And, while Meghan Markle does sometimes rock a dark-hued nail, she mainly sticks to a classic mani as well. Turns out there is one shade all three women prefer: Essie's “Ballet Slippers,” a subtle pale pink polish the Queen has worn since 1989, when her hairstylist wrote to the company asking for a bottle.
It was revealed that Margaret's manicure of choice came courtesy of classic nail polish brand Peggy Sage – which still sells its popular colours today.
Meghan chose CND Shellac in Unmasked and Negligee for her bridal manicure. When Meghan Markle tied the knot with Prince Harry in 2018, she too mixed a number of nail polish shades. The bride wore one layer of Unmasked CND Shellac, with two coats of CND Shellac Negligee on top.
They're not picturing you sitting by the space heater doing your own hair and nails. She's very self-service," she said.
Kate Middleton just dyed her signature brunette locks the colour of the season. If there's one person we should all be taking hair inspiration from, it's the royal highness herself – and no, while she is a Queen, I don't mean Beyoncé.
It turns out Kate Middleton has a large scar on her hair line, on the left side of her head. This scar has only ever been photographed once in the media, in 2011 when her hair was pulled back from her face.
Unlike the Army, the Royal Navy allows a full beard, although no moustaches or goatees are permitted. William kept the beard for a short period, and was even pictured with a beard at Sandringham for Christmas that year, until it was reported that Queen Elizabeth II asked him to shave it off.
Royals like Middleton, Markle, and Queen Camilla often opt for more understated makeup, including nude or light-pink lipstick. But there's no official ban on bright colors like red. It's more about adhering to a level of decorum and avoiding anything too flashy or attention-grabbing.
There is no official protocol that dictates what footwear royals should wear.
Most royals, including Queen Elizabeth II, Kate Middleton, and Queen Camilla, usually opt for understated looks. That's likely because royals are expected to maintain a more natural and classic style. Their eye makeup is intended to enhance natural beauty rather than add to a look or fit a trend.
And there is one particular - and suitably 'appropriate' - shade that the Queen favours. According to nail care brand Essie, the Queen's hairdresser sent the brand a letter in 1989 requesting a bottle of its cult shade Ballet Slippers; 'the only colour Her Majesty would wear.
Over the years reports have claimed one of the Queen's favourite nail polishes is Ballet Slippers from Essie and it's said that the unofficial protocol is for royals to wear subtle shades over bright tones on their nails.
Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan told Allure magazine, “I use RevitaLash on my eyelashes, and I swear they are as long as they could ever be.” Beauty experts agree that it is a star product, and thankfully it's readily available to shop online.
The family coordinated in bright blue outfits for the church service. This is where Kate Middleton debuted red nail paint, something she never usually does. Kate is known for wearing neutral hues or going sans nail paint on most occasions. Her red paint stood out against the blue clutch that matched her ensemble.
The Princess of Wales risked it all with red nail polish. Per The Sun, royal etiquette strictly prohibits royals from wearing nail polish in bold colors and encourages skin-tone shades for official events.
Princess Eugenie is one of the only royals with visible tattoos. She showed off her small tattoo, a delicately inked circle behind her left year, at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. However, it is unclear when she first got the piece of body art.
While other royals have also worn open-toe shoes on occasion, closed-toe shoes are thought to be more proper for royal engagements. Etiquette expert William Hanson previously told Harpers Bazaar: "Open-toed shoes are considered informal footwear and inappropriate for formal occasions."
Royal men have traditionally chosen not to wear a wedding ring.