Can Kate Middleton Wear Nail Polish? Royal Manicure Rule Explained

While it's sobering to acknowledge, nearly a year has elapsed since Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Outliving her beloved husband, Prince Philip, by just over a year, she passed away on the 8th of September, 2022, barely three and a half years shy of her centenary. A lot has changed since then.

For instance, Her Majesty's son, Charles, was recently crowned the King of the UK. Alongside him, his wife Camilla assumed the title of Queen Consort. Moreover, William and Kate Middleton ascended to Prince and Princess of Wales roles. Since Queen Elizabeth's passing, the couple has been frequently seen in public. Kate's conspicuous choice of vibrant nail polish has sparked speculation about whether the Royal codes of conduct have evolved.

Indeed, the protocol meticulously prescribes the Royals' appearance, and nails are no exception. The British Royal family members are expected to maintain neatly trimmed nails at all times. It's often suggested that the rules stipulate that female royals should only adorn their nails with pale or 'nude' hues. However, this isn't strictly accurate.

'There's no actual protocol about dark nail polish. It's simply about being appropriate,'

Omid Scobie, a Royal correspondent at Harper's Bazaar, told Bazaar.com.

Although the late Queen Elizabeth preferred a more modest, natural aesthetic and seldom chose bright nail polish shades, there was never a rule forbidding a royal from doing so. It may have been a family convention, but there were no explicit restrictions in this respect.

The primary concern appears to have always been the appropriateness of their appearance for specific occasions. In other words, you would never see a member of the Royal family flaunting brightly coloured nails at a funeral or a wedding. Under other circumstances, there are no specific requirements for the nail polish hue.

In fact, Kate Middleton has been spotted wearing darker polish shades multiple times, albeit on her toes. For instance, in 2012, she attended The Thirty Club dinner in London, where she exhibited dark-tinted toenails. Therefore, there are no limitations concerning the colour of the Royals' manicure (or pedicure) as long as it's tasteful.

Source: Harper's Bazaar.