The Royal Beauty Tradition Princess Charlotte Isn't Afraid To Break
It's been 15 years since Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in 2011. To commemorate the occasion, the royal couple shared a laid-back family photo on Instagram. Dressed in casual clothing under the sun surrounded by greenery, the middle child, Princess Charlotte, made a statement with her manicure. She sported a baby blue nail color that complemented her aqua and navy ensemble. Her subtle manicure turned heads for being an unexpected break from royal beauty traditions.
However, this isn't the first time Princess Charlotte broke a royal style tradition. In July 2025, she wore a bubblegum-pink manicure to Wimbledon, which raised the question: Was it a royal fashion faux pas? Technically, no. Royal women are encouraged to wear nude and light pink tones, keeping in line with their quiet, timeless, and elegant dress code, like Queen Elizabeth II's reported choice to wear Essie's Ballet Slippers polish from 1989 until her passing in 2022. There is no strict rule enforced. Since Princess Charlotte has had a royally good style evolution so far, every new look adds another clue to her developing sense of style.
Other royal ladies who have broken this beauty tradition
Beyond Princess Charlotte, several royal women have also quietly strayed away from this long-standing beauty tradition, embracing style and individuality over protocol. In 1992, following her separation from Prince Charles, Princess Diana, who was always known for her unconventional style by royal standards, swapped her French manicure for a cherry-red shade. This subtle yet effective act of defiance cemented her in history as someone who pushed beyond royal expectations and, once again, prioritized her own personal style. As mentioned by designer Christina Stambolian, "She wore bright red nail enamel, which we had never seen her do before. She was saying: 'Let's be wicked tonight'" (via Vogue).
In 2018, Meghan Markle appeared at the British Fashion Awards to honor Clare Waight Keller, the Givenchy designer who worked on her wedding dress. Wearing a black Givenchy gown with her hair pulled back, many took notice of her dark plum manicure. Although the color has not been confirmed, it is speculated to be CND's Shellac in Dark Dahlia.
While we want Kate Middleton to share her makeup routine, it was her Easter 2023 nails that really made a statement. Already vibrant in her electric blue Catherine Walker coat, her red, vampire-esque manicure was a rare style moment for the Princess of Wales. Whether through Princess Charlotte's adorable polish, Princess Diana's distinctive shade of red, or Meghan Markle's dark hue, these small choices in beauty continue to indicate a quiet change in the way of royal fashion, where traditions dictate the trends, but individuality is slowly becoming apparent.