The royal family, especially the women, are known for their impeccable style and taste. Part of their polished look includes their nail polish choices. As public figures, all eyes are on the royals whenever they make an appearance. Therefore, they must choose their nail colors carefully. The Queen and other royal women likely work with their stylists to pick the perfect nail polish shade that is appropriate for each event they attend. So what colors and brands do they tend to favor? Read on to learn more about the royal family’s nail polish preferences.
The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II is known for wearing bright, bold nail polish shades. At 95 years old, she still takes great care with her appearance and usually wears classic red or pink polish. The Queen is said to favor Essie’s $9 bottle of Ballet Slippers, a pale pink color. She will also sometimes wear more vivid pinks and reds from Essie or Clarins. And for evenings out, she may choose a deeper wine color.
The Queen’s nail polish is applied by her personal hairdresser. The shade she wears depends on the occasion and what color outfit or hat she has chosen. But you can count on her nails looking neatly manicured in a proper, ladylike hue.
Kate Middleton
As the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton is expected to have elegant style. She tends to wear light natural nail polish colors with a subtle glossy sheen. Some shades she has worn include Essie’s Allure (a sheer pink) and Bobbi Brown’s Nude (a pinky beige). These allow her hands to look groomed yet soft and natural.
For her wedding to Prince William in 2011, Kate wore Allure nail polish to complement her lace gown. Essie’s colors are a favorite of Kate’s to this day. She has also been spotted wearing Essie’s Sand Tropez, a muted mocha color, and Lovie Dovie, a pinky mauve.
Meghan Markle
Ever the modern royal, Meghan Markle wears more bold nail polish colors than Kate. She has rocked deeper reds, frosty pinks, taupes, and even dark green and purples. Some of her preferred brands include Dior and Nails Inc in fun, fashionable colors.
For her own royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan wore a custom taupe-pink color created by DryBy London. This elegant nude shade suited her Givenchy wedding dress perfectly. Meghan kept her nails short and neatly squared off.
Princess Diana
The late Princess Diana was known for her charming beauty and poise. She often wore red nail polish early in her marriage that matched her signature lipstick. Then later she opted for more natural, pale pink polishes.
Some of her favorites were from top British brand Clarins in colors like Riviera, a bright coral, and Pale Pink. The princess also reportedly enjoyed Essie polish in shades like Imported Champagne (a pinky beige) and Avenue Maintain (a deeper burgundy red). Her nails were always meticulously groomed to complete her look.
Princess Anne
Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter, Princess Anne, favors natural nail polish colors. She wears subtle neutrals that are never distracting. Her nails are routinely polished in beige and pale pink shades. She has been known to wear Essie colors like Mademoiselle (a classic sheer pink) and Sand Tropez (a French manicure look).
Princess Anne opts for practical nail lengths and shapes conducive to her busy schedule of royal duties. Understated nails let her impressive work take center stage.
Sarah Ferguson
Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson brought bold style to the royal family when she married Prince Andrew. As Duchess of York, she often wore bright red nail polish that matched her red hair and lipstick. She paired this with longer, squared-off acrylic nails.
Nowadays, Fergie tones down her nails a bit with lighter pinks and nudes. But her nails are still notable for their length and perfection. Some shades she favors are Essie’s Vanity Fairest, a pale pearly pink, and Lapiz of Luxury, a deeper rosy mauve. Her nails are always impeccably manicured.
Zara Tindall
The Queen’s granddaughter, Zara Tindall, has an equestrian career. So she usually keeps her nails short for safety and practicality. She does polish them though, favoring neutral and pink shades that blend with her skin tone. Essie colors she has worn include Lilacism (a creamy nude) and Mademoiselle (soft pink).
As a busy mom of three, Zara opts for nails that are well-groomed but fuss-free. She likes to match her polish color to her outfit for different events while still keeping things simple.
Princess Eugenie
Princess Eugenie, daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, wears fashionable nail colors similar to Meghan Markle’s style. She will often rock deeper reds, burgundies, taupes, and metallics in brands like Nails Inc.
For her October 2018 wedding to Jack Brooksbank, Eugenie matched her blush-colored wedding gown with a custom pink polish by Bristol-based brand Pebbles. She also added a subtle shimmer top coat for a touch of glam.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Camilla favors traditional pink and red nail polish close to the Queen’s style. She wears glossy cream shades or cherry red colors from brands like Essie. As a senior royal, Camilla keeps her nails looking elegant and well-manicured at all times.
Some shades she has been spotted wearing include Essie’s Forever Yummy (light pink), Lapiz of Luxury (rosy mauve), and Jamaica Me Crazy (vibrant red). Her nails are neatly shaped and tailored to her role as royal consort to Prince Charles.
Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Prince Edward’s wife, Sophie, wears both natural and bold nail polish colors. She will sometimes rock crimson reds and hot pinks on her nails. Other times, she wears pale pinks and nudes. Brands she likes include OPI and Essie.
Sophie makes sure her nails are beautifully groomed for royal events in glossy, photo-ready colors. Whether she chooses a neutral shade or bold hue depends on her outfit and the occasion.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge’s Go-To Nail Colors
| Brand | Color |
|---|---|
| Essie | Allure |
| Essie | Mademoiselle |
| Essie | Sand Tropez |
| Bobbi Brown | Nude |
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s Favorite Polishes
| Brand | Color |
|---|---|
| Dior | Diorlisse Ridge Filler |
| Nails Inc. | Porchester Square |
| Nails Inc. | Belgravia Gardens |
| DryBy London | Custom bridal shade |
Queen Elizabeth II’s Go-To Reds and Pinks
| Brand | Color |
|---|---|
| Essie | Ballet Slippers |
| Essie | Jamaica Me Crazy |
| Clarins | Riviera |
| Clarins | Pale Pink |
Princess Diana’s Favorite Polishes
| Brand | Color |
|---|---|
| Clarins | Riviera |
| Essie | Imported Champagne |
| Essie | Avenue Maintain |
| Clarins | Pale Pink |
Conclusion
When it comes to nail polish, the royal family tends to favor classic, elegant colors like reds, pinks, nudes, and taupes. Brands they wear include Essie, Dior, Clarins, Nails Inc., OPI, and more. The Queen prefers bright reds and pinks while Kate opts for pale natural neutrals. Meghan wears more bold, fashionable colors and Princess Diana loved classy reds. Their nails are always impeccably manicured to complement their outfits for royal events and public appearances. Proper grooming is essential for these public figures. So while the Queen may wear Essie’s Ballet Slippers pink to a garden party, Meghan might rock a deeper Dior red for an evening reception. But you can bet their nails will be perfectly polished!