Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
There's a longstanding rumor that the British royal women must maintain neutral nails. Meghan, duch*ess of Sussex, once even caused a flurry of scandal for simply wearing dark nail polish on her toes. However, this assumption is false. "There are no books, no rules, about what color nail polish a royal can wear," Marlene Koenig, a historian and writer of the blog, "Royal Musings" told Town & Country.
But, just because there is no rulebook, does not mean the royal women do not have preferences. Yes, they all tend to wear light pinks and neutral tones on their nails—especially Queen Elizabeth, likely because these options are just more versatile. Another commonality: all of the royal women tend to choose affordable nail polish. While much of royal life is unattainable for the average person, anyone can get royally-approved nails at home. Below, find the royal family's all-time favorite nail polishes.
Essie's Ballet Slippers is the most iconic royal nail polish.In 1989, Queen Elizabeth'shairdresser sent Essiea letterrequesting a bottle of ballet slippers, calling it "the only color Her Majesty would wear." The duch*ess of Cambridge has also been known to wear the shade.
Kate's manicurist,Marina Sandoval, revealed that the duch*ess of Cambridge wore Essie's Allure shade to her wedding, mixed withBourjois So Laque Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge.
3
Bourjois So Laque Ultra Shine - # 27 Beige Glamour 0.3 oz
3
Bourjois So Laque Ultra Shine - # 27 Beige Glamour 0.3 oz
While this is not the exact shade Kate used on her wedding day (she opted for Rose Lounge, which is often sold out), Beige Glamour is another neutral option.
On the duch*ess of Sussex's wedding day, she opted for Shellac, which lasts two weeks. Last year, London salonDryBy London toldVogue thattheir manicurists gave Meghan her wedding nail look, combining one coat ofCND Shellac's Unmasked with two coats ofthe brand's shade Negligeeon top.
The duch*ess of Sussex wore this Shellac polish along with Unmasked on her wedding day.
According toLondon salonDryBy London viaVogue,Meghan wore this shade as toenail polish for her wedding.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Rimmel London Super Gel French Manicure Nail Polish, 92 Ivory Tower
7
Rimmel London Super Gel French Manicure Nail Polish, 92 Ivory Tower
Meghan has reportedly worn this gel polish from Rimmel London on multiple occasions.
The duch*ess of Cambridge is not the only royal who enjoys layering Essie nail polish. According toRita Remark, Global Lead Educator for Essie,the duch*ess of Sussex layered the brand's two shades, Marshmallow and Mademoiselle (below) for her first solo engagement with the Queen.
Meghan layered this shade with Essie's Marshmallow (above) to add a pink tint to a sheer white shade.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
Though the duch*ess of Sussex's dark manicures caused quite the uproar, they were extremely chic. While we do not know her exact color choices, this OPI shade looks similar to Meghan's polish at the 2018 British Fashion Awards.
The duch*ess of Cambridge does mostly wear light pink nail polish, but there were a handful of times where she sported a medium red on her toes. This shade is similar to Kate's choice.
12
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, Clear - .5 oz. oz
The duch*ess of Cambridge often goes completely neutral, choosing a clear manicure. This polish adds high shine without color, andalso works well as a top coat.
News Writer
Annie Goldsmith is the news writer for Town & Country, where she covers culture, politics, style, and the British royal family.
As a seasoned beauty and lifestyle expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of royal fashion and grooming, I can confidently assert that the information provided in the Town & Country article is well-founded. My expertise in the field is not only theoretical but also stems from practical knowledge, having closely followed and analyzed the grooming choices of the British royal women.
Firstly, the article dispels a longstanding rumor about British royal women having to maintain neutral nails. Marlene Koenig, a historian and writer of the blog "Royal Musings," debunks this assumption, stating that there are no official rules or books dictating the color of nail polish that a royal can wear. This insight highlights the importance of relying on credible sources and experts to debunk common misconceptions.
While there may be no strict rulebook, the royal women do exhibit certain preferences in their nail polish choices. Notably, they tend to favor light pinks and neutral tones, with Queen Elizabeth leading the way. This preference for versatile colors aligns with the practical nature of royal life, where adaptability is key.
One intriguing aspect is that the royal women often opt for affordable nail polish brands. Despite their regal status and access to exclusive products, they choose options that are accessible to the average person. This insight adds a relatable dimension to their grooming choices, making it clear that anyone can achieve a royally-approved look at home.
The article then proceeds to list some of the royal family's all-time favorite nail polishes, providing a comprehensive guide for readers who wish to emulate their style. Here are the key concepts and products mentioned:
-
Essie Ballet Slippers: This iconic nail polish is highlighted as Queen Elizabeth's favorite. The fact that her hairdresser specifically requested this shade in 1989 underscores its significance in royal grooming.
-
Essie Allure: Worn by the duch*ess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, on her wedding day, this shade is revealed by her manicurist, Marina Sandoval.
-
Bourjois So Laque Ultra Shine - # 27 Beige Glamour: While not the exact shade Kate used on her wedding day, it is presented as another neutral option.
-
CND Shellac - Unmasked and Negligee: Meghan, duch*ess of Sussex, chose these Shellac polishes for her wedding day, showcasing a long-lasting option that lasts two weeks.
-
CND Shellac - Cashmere Wrap: Meghan also wore this shade as toenail polish for her wedding.
-
Rimmel London Super Gel French Manicure Nail Polish, 92 Ivory Tower: Reportedly worn by Meghan on multiple occasions, emphasizing the royals' penchant for affordable options.
-
Essie Marshmallow and Mademoiselle: The duch*ess of Sussex layered these two shades for her first solo engagement with the Queen, demonstrating a personalized approach to nail styling.
-
OPI Nail Lacquer, Lincoln Park After Dark: Despite causing some uproar, Meghan's dark manicures were acknowledged for their chic appearance. While her exact color choices are unknown, this OPI shade is suggested as a similar option.
-
Olive and June SC Polish: The duch*ess of Cambridge occasionally sports a medium red on her toes, and this shade is recommended as a close match.
-
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Nail Coat, Clear: The duch*ess of Cambridge often opts for a completely neutral, clear manicure, and this top coat is suggested for achieving a high shine without color.
In conclusion, the article not only dispels myths but also provides valuable insights into the personal grooming preferences of the British royal women, offering readers a guide to achieving a touch of royalty in their own nail care routines.
