For the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor last month, she shocked us when she broke royal tradition and chose a wine-red gel manicure for the occasion (more on this below). And her most recent, ultra natural nail style is yet another TikTok approved manicure for 2023, also known as 'milk nails'.
Kate, for the most part, wears either no polish or clear polish on her hands for her everyday look—though her nails are always impeccably groomed.
While there has been previous reporting that the late Queen Elizabeth had a royal protocol when it came to nail polish -the reality is, most royal ladies have forgone the standard 'neutral' tones on occasion, with Catherine, Princess of Wales', featuring red nails in her latest appearance, which came as a surprise to ...
Perhaps the royal's red nail choice was a subtle nod to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana, another royal who had a penchant for playful nails. Most notably, the People's Princess debuted a fiery red manicure as she stepped put in her iconic 'revenge dress' back in June 1994.
The likely reason is that it's simply a personal preference. Middleton talks often about how much she values her time outside in the country with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and when you're a busy mom, it's much easier to rebuff a nail than it is to repolish.
Her smokey eye makeup was definitely accentuated using false lashes." The talented professional explains how to create the look at home. "Using the Eylure Lash Illusion lash (which has the thinnest band and is clear, like Kate's) it can sit undetected by your natural lash line which can help create this look easily.
Kate Middleton often stands in heels for hours at a time while making public appearances. So to ensure comfort, etiquette expert Myka Meier says the Princess of Wales uses two tricks. Kate is said to wear John Lewis non-slip tights and Alice Bow insoles to "cushion" her feet.
“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.
The Queen wore the same shade for over 30 years...
The late Queen Elizabeth II only let one shade of nail polish touch her finger tips and it was by none other than Essie.
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.
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.
Meghan wore CND Shellac nail polish on her wedding day
On her fingernails one layer of Unmasked – a pretty nude shade - was painted, with two coats of Negligee – a pale sheer polish - on top.
Essie 'Ballet Slippers'
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.
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.
Princess Kate reportedly loves Essie's Allure Nail Polish, and even wore the shade on her wedding day, according to Town & Country. The neutral hue is perfect for every day wear — and when you're a royal, you need a color that is as elegant as it is understated.
According to OK! magazine (so, take this with a healthy spoonful of British store-brand salt), there is a rule in place—which comes from the Queen herself—stating that colored nail polish (or—gasp—fake nails) do not meet royal standards, and are considered “vulgar” (please imagine the word “vulgar” delivered in the ...
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.
Queen Elizabeth II didn't have her ears pierced until she was 25. "Before then, all of her earrings were modified into clip-ons," the experts revealed. "But shortly before her accession, in the summer of 1951, she made the decision to pierce her ears after all."
clarins Clarins Ever Matte Compact Powder
Queen Elizabeth was famously crowned wearing Clarins cosmetics, after commissioning the company to create a shade of lipstick that went with her coronation robes. It's rumoured that its Ever Matte powder was among the Queen's must-haves.
Kate, who also became the Duchess of Cornwall following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, opted for Diana's breathtaking pearl and diamond earrings.
"And of course, the Duchess of Sussex is not the first royal to wear dark nail polish. Diana wore it, Catherine's worn it. Royals around the world have worn it. I think the tabloids are just so fixated on picking something out because they know it'll be clicked, and they don't take the time to research."
The world was intrigued by the beautiful Princess Margaret
The result? 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.
But it seems as though there's a genuine reason for the Duchess's style choice. 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.
Do Kate and Meghan shop for their own clothes? Yes! Both Kate and Markle have been spotted shopping alone, most notably at high street stores in London. Kate has been seen shopping at Zara, Gap, Jigsaw (she used to work there before marrying Prince William) and Peter Jones.
According to engagement ring experts, the Princess of Wales removes her ring for "health and safety reasons." Lilly is the assistant editor at Brides.