It's undoubtedly her most daring nail look to date
The Princess of Wales took an unexpected departure from royal beauty protocol and showcased a letterbox red manicure, during her appearance at the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle last weekend. Just as it’s rare for us to see the duch*ess testing out a bold red lip in place of her go-to neutral pink, Kate similarly steers clear of bright shades on her nails. In fact, as far as we can tell, she has never been photographed at a public engagement sporting anything other than a barely-there polish in the lightest shade of blush - that was until Sunday.
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That said, Kate often gets more daring when it comes to her pedicure. The reason? As with many of those niggling questions about royal behaviour, it’s all a simple matter of etiquette. Just as the royals have to ensure that their outfits obey a strict set of sartorial rules, their beauty choices are similarly dictated by protocol. Certain well-placed sources have let slip that wearing fake nails or coloured nail polish is considered ‘vulgar’ for royal engagements, though it's not officially against the rules.
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It is said that senior members of the royal family are encouraged to swerve in-your-face nail shades in favour of a clear wash of polish or pale neutral or pink shades. The Queen always famously favoured Essie’s pale pink Ballet Slippers polish, a colour she wore since 1989 (her hairdresser reportedly described it as ‘the only colour Her Majesty would wear’). For her wedding day in 2011, Kate took her cues from her grandmother-in-law, opting to wear the similar shade when she tied the knot with William. Since then, she’s stuck close to the same formula: a neat manicure in a barely-there colour.
Kate Middleton's Most Notable Nail Moments - Grazia 2023
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CREDIT: Getty
The Wedding Manicure
Kate's wedding day manicure is perhaps the most widely written about nail look of hers to date. 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.
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CREDIT: Getty Images
Simple and Effective
Sometimes all you need is clear polish or nothing at all. The Princess of Wales proves that it's OK to let a few key accessories do all the talking, in place of your nails.
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CREDIT: Getty Images
Ballet Slippers Polish
Pretty and subtle, we think the manicure shade spotted here is Essie's pale pink Ballet Slipper polish, £7.19.
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CREDIT: Getty Images
The Red Pedi
Like we said Kate Middleton plays it less safe with her pedicure shades. It's clear she loves red.
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As a seasoned beauty and royal etiquette enthusiast, I bring a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intricacies of the recent departure from royal beauty norms by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton. I've closely followed the evolution of royal beauty choices, drawing upon extensive research and a keen eye for details in official engagements and public appearances.
The recent revelation of Kate Middleton sporting a letterbox red manicure at the Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle marks a significant deviation from the established royal beauty protocol. It's noteworthy that the royal family, including the duch*ess of Cambridge, adheres to a set of beauty rules and etiquette guidelines. The adherence to such rules is not just a matter of personal preference but is deeply rooted in tradition and protocol.
One crucial element highlighted in the article is the distinction between nail choices for public engagements and more private settings, such as pedicures. The insight into Kate's more daring pedicure choices offers a nuanced understanding of how certain beauty norms are relaxed in specific contexts.
The article mentions the perceived 'vulgarity' associated with colored nail polish and fake nails during royal engagements, although it's not explicitly prohibited by official rules. This sheds light on the subtle expectations and unspoken guidelines that govern the appearance of senior members of the royal family.
Furthermore, the article delves into the historical context of Queen Elizabeth II's preferred nail polish, Essie's Ballet Slippers, which she has worn since 1989. Kate Middleton, on her wedding day in 2011, followed this tradition, opting for a similar shade, highlighting the significance of continuity and homage to royal history.
The inclusion of specific product details, such as Essie's Nail polish in Allure and Bourjois' So Laque Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge for Kate's wedding day manicure, reflects a meticulous examination of the details surrounding the duch*ess's beauty choices.
In essence, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the intricacies of royal beauty protocols, shedding light on the subtle nuances that dictate the choices of senior members like Kate Middleton. The historical references, product details, and insights into private versus public beauty choices collectively contribute to a well-rounded understanding of this intriguing aspect of royal life.
