Members of the royal family have a lot of rules to follow. One such rule that is often talked about is the subtle nail polish rule, although according to multiple sources, including Harper’s Bazaar, this is less of a rule and more of a preference. The late Queen Elizabeth preferred subtle, pale nail polish hues, such as neutral colors or light pink. Although sticking with those colors is not a strict rule, it’s one that women in the royal family tend to follow – but definitely not all the time.
Women in the royal family usually go for a more polished look.
Royal correspondent Omid Scobie has told Harper’s Bazaar that “there’s no actual protocol about dark nail polish.” Instead, “it’s simply about being appropriate.” It’s been said that Queen Elizabeth regularly wore a pale pink Essie nail polish called Ballet Slippers, and other members of the royal family have followed suit.
Per Marie Claire, Kate Middleton reportedly likes subtle Essie nail polishes as well, such as the brand’s Allure and Limo Scene colors. In addition to selecting pale hues, women in the royal family are known for keeping their nails short and clean.
Queen Elizabeth found darker nail polish to be “vulgar,” according to the Daily Mail. Using light-colored nail polish is considered particularly important for “official occasions and particularly during mourning,” etiquette expert William Hanson told The Sun.
However, royals have deviated from this ‘rule’ on multiple occasions.
Unsurprisingly, some people were outraged when Meghan Markle appeared to break the “rule” in 2018, but she was not the only royal to do so. In 2018, Meghan wore dark burgundy nail polish that could nearly be mistaken for black to the British Fashion Awards. Omid defended Meghan’s bold nail polish choice at the time. After all, she was at the British Fashion Awards, which “is a celebration of fashion and there’s a lot more flexibility on what one can wear.”
Besides, Kate, Duchess Sophie, Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, and Princess Eugenie have also sported bold nails.
Kate Middleton usually wears pale nail polish but went out with red polish in 2023.
Kate was accused of breaking royal protocol during the Royal Family’s 2023 Easter service. Royal fans quickly noticed her red nails given that she usually chooses very subtle colors. At the time, people on social media suggested that it seemed to be the first time Kate used such a bold nail polish shade, per the Daily Mail.
Princess Diana wore red nail polish with her ‘revenge dress.’
When Diana stepped out in her “revenge dress” on June 29, 1994, she also had her nails painted red. Diana made a statement in her iconic black off-the-shoulder dress the same night that then-Prince Charles admitted to infidelity on national television. This was not the only time Diana wore bold nail polish, though. In 1992, she had her nails painted red for a ballet performance she attended in Hungary.
Duchess Sophie and Princess Eugenie have also taken risks when it comes to their nails.
On multiple occasions, Sophie has sported red, pink, and gray nail polish. Most recently, she appeared to take inspiration from Meghan Markle when she visited the Community Shop Lambeth and L’Arche London and wore a burgundy-colored nail polish. Princess Eugenie’s nail choices have been particularly bold. In 2012, she sported Union Jack painted nails. On other occasions, she has worn red nail polish and even festive reindeer nails for Christmas.
