The truth about Kate Middleton's nail polish 'rules' has been revealed
Kate Middleton's nail polish 'rules' are not actively enforced, a royal expert reveals
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Thank you for signing up to Woman & Home. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Kate Middleton's nail polish 'rules' have finally been revealed – and they're not as strict as you might think.
- Kate Middleton is rarely spotted with dark nail polish, preferring to go with paler colors when she gets a manicure.
- The Duchess of Cambridge is technically allowed to wear any color, but chooses to stay with lighter shades for a specific reason.
- In other royal news, the Queen experiences heartbreak as she will never again enjoy this special birthday tradition after losing Prince Philip.
Kate Middleton's manicures have always given us serious nail envy – along with a sharp reminder to top up our chipped polish.
From her filed fingertips to her moisturized cuticles, the Duchess of Cambridge consistently rocks a perfectly groomed pair of hands to perform her public service.
However, there's one notable feature on these manicures that fans have been quick to spot.
The Duchess is rarely seen wearing dark shades on her fingers, leaving many to speculate that there may be a royal protocol on nail polish.
While a specific rule has never been confirmed, it's widely accepted that women in the Royal Family should adhere to lighter colors when painting their nails - á la Her Majesty herself.
The Queen has reportedly not changed her manicure routine in decades, after falling in love with Essie's Ballet Slippers in her early sixties. The soft pink, opaque varnish has graced the monarch's cuticles since 1989 and was even worn by Meghan Markle on her wedding day to Prince Harry in 2015.
Kate also chose a neutral color when she tied the knot to Prince William in 2011, opting for the sheer pinkish-white Allure by Essie.
While the Duchess of Cambridge has continued to wear similar shades over the years, she is entirely free to change things up if she feels like it.
“There’s no actual protocol about dark nail polish,” royal correspondent Omid Scobie told BAZAAR.com in 2018. “It’s simply about being appropriate.”
Kate has experimented with deeper colors in the past, even wearing a shiny burgundy pedicure at a Royal Albert Hall concert marking the 2012 Summer Olympics in 2018.
Meghan has also enjoyed dabbling with darker shades that compliment her warm skin tone and brunette locks. She arrived at the British Fashion Awards in 2018 wearing a black velvet Givenchy dress paired with slicked-back hair and a set of gleaming black nails. While some accused her of breaking protocol at the time, many applauded her for embracing a richer color and challenging royal tradition.
woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
-
Remembering the time Queen Elizabeth sent the most powerful feminist message in her classic subtle style while at Balmoral
With the Royal Family pictured at Balmoral for the first time since the late Queen died, we revisit one of our favourite stories
By Jack Slater Published
-
This royal couple is 'most valuable' - surpassing the likes of Beyoncé and Jay-Z and Jlo and Ben Affleck
A new study has found the value in news items and media clicks different couples generate
By Jack Slater Published
-
Kate Middleton's strict but clever rule of thirds for juggling her busy life
The Princess of Wales is said to divide her time into thirds in order to balance all of the responsibilities in her life
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
Kate Middleton’s sage green mini dress, raffia wedges and relaxed waves is a summer look we’ve fallen for all over again!
Kate’s sage green mini dress was worn back in 2010 for a summer trip to the polo and we can't help wanting to see it again!
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The magnificent Royal Family holiday homes used by King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales
There are several Royal Family holiday homes and plenty of them have been used already this year as they uphold key traditions
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate and Pippa Middleton could be a dream team to ‘be reckoned with’ after Princess of Wales’ list of trusted confidantes ‘shrunk’
Kate and Pippa could be a dream team and make 'big headlines' if they 'combine their efforts', according to a royal expert
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
This is one of the most iconic royal tiaras ever but only four people have worn it publicly - and Queen Elizabeth wasn’t one of them!
This is one of the most iconic royal tiaras that many fans will instantly recognise but only a few people have been seen in it over the years
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton regularly snubs this flattering fruit-themed colour but it was one of Queen Elizabeth’s favourites
Kate regularly snubs a particularly stunning pastel tone that Queen Elizabeth make work for her at a huge number of royal occasions
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Prince William's sacrifice made so that Kate could 'back out' of marrying him
Prince William wanted to make sure Catherine had a choice
By Caitlin Elliott Published
-
King Charles set to hold key summit at Balmoral with Prince William and the Princess of Wales as he strives to fulfil ‘sincere wish’
King Charles is reportedly set to hold a summit at Balmoral Castle as he considers his 'utmost duty' as monarch
By Emma Shacklock Published