Most iconic Royal Family's nail looks

In recent times, there have been many changes in the Windsor household, some of them of great emotional impact for our beloved Royal family members. Each vicissitude has modified previously established habits in every aspect of the Royal family's life. Many very strict customs and protocols have evolved, becoming more malleable, thanks also to modern times. In the beauty, cosmetics and dress code spheres, some things have changed for the women of Buckingham Palace, not least the rules on manicures. Discover the new concessions and aspects cleared by the female members of the world's most talked-about family!

There are many protocols and unwritten rules at Buckingham Palace, some particularly strict when it comes to fashion. If you ever noticed, the Royals never wore jeans. No trousers are allowed at the palace for formal occasions, woe to legs without tights and no brightly coloured make-up or gel polish. Queen Elizabeth II was inflexible, to the point that until recently the women of the Royal Family wore only and exclusively nude nails. Even Meghan Markle, consort of Prince Harry, had to conform to the strict rules of the Windsor family.

However, in December 2018, at the British Fashion Awards, the Duchess wore an elegant black manicure that, let's face it, perfectly matched her stunning Givenchy gown. At the time, that infraction sparked no small amount of dissent at the palace, but who could blame the Californian actress? After a life of independence, it must not have been easy to adapt to the beauty protocols of the monarchy. Needless to say, after the break-up with the Royal family, Meghan was not present at the coronation of King Charles III. In fact, the former actress stayed in California to celebrate the fourth birthday of her eldest son Archie. Harry attended the London ceremony and stayed just over 24 hours before returning to Los Angeles for dinner. His very short stay on English soil is understandable, probably in his heart - and in that of many of us – he dreamed of seeing his own mother become queen.

An example of respect for Royal beauty protocols at the coronation of King Charles III was Kate Middleton, who has always been a precise observer of the rules dear to Queen Elizabeth II. In fact, the princess has always shown herself in public strictly observing all the restrictions of the fashion world to which Buckingham Palace is subject, both in terms of clothes and nails.

Yet, on Easter Day itself, for the first time Kate showed herself in public with flaming. Some say that after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II the princess can finally wear the nail varnish she prefers. Others say that this is a strategy to show that with the new monarchy also Buckingham Palace knows how to modernise. 

However, Kate was not the first Royal to wear red nails, the late Princess Diana Spencer of Wales preceded her.

The iconic and much-loved Lady Diana fought the impositions of the monarchy with small gestures, starting with her manicure. Diana, the day after discovering the betrayal of her husband and current king, had shown herself in public in what became the famous Revenge dress, obviously accompanied by bright red nails.

The beautiful Lady D had done her best to please the royal beauty rules, as witnessed by the photos taken of her before she found out about the backlash between Charles and Camilla.

However, after the painful discovery, Diana began to disregard the royal protocols considered most useless and outdated. The red manicure was her first sign of rebellion, along with dresses and skirts shorter than knee-length, all with the innate elegance that distinguished her.

No doubt Diana would have appreciated Kate's manicure. After all, there are many who believe that there could have been a strong sympathy... or at least we like to think so! In the meantime, the nails of the British Royals continue to be a clear insider's sign of a certain era the monarchy is going through.