The real reason Kate Middleton only wears nude nail polish - and how to recreate her manicure at home

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(Image credit: Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge reacts as she arrives to visit to Baby Basics baby bank in Sheffield, northern England on August 4, 2020. - Baby banks aim to support and empower families by ensuring every child has the essential items they need to thrive. In the UK, they are powered primarily by volunteers and typically run on professional referral from services such as health visitors, midwives and social workers. (Photo by Chris Jackson / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS JACKSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images))

By Fiona Embleton

published 16 December 20

Royal etiquette is apparently the reason behind Kate Middleton's nude nails.

As one of the most photographed women in the world, the Duchess of Cambridge has fine-tuned her signature beauty looks since joining The Royal Family - there’s the smoky eye, the glossy blow out and the glowing complexion (reportedly courtesy of Trilogy’s Organic Rosehip Oil).

All of which are dialled up or down depending on the official engagement. The Duchess is also not afraid to experiment with new looks as her recent dabble with caramel highlights and Disney-esque ringlets proves.

But the perennial favourite for her nails remains a barely-there manicure. It's reported that Royal protocol recommends steering clear of bright shades on the nails; in fact, Kate Middleton has never been photographed at a public engagement donning anything other than a neutral hue.

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Royal-approved nude nail polish shades

Manicurists champion a clean nude nail as it is not only a timeless classic but also elongates the fingers. The Queen has famously favoured Essie’s pale pink Ballet Slippers polish since 1989. For her wedding day in 2011, Kate Middleton - per her manicurist Marina Sandoval - opted for a mix of “Bourjois So Laque Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge and Essie Nail Polish.”

Since then, the Duchess has stayed loyal to the same blush shade range.

How to recreate Kate Middleton's manicure

The beauty of Bourjois So Laque Nail Enamel in Rose Lounge is that it is chip-resistant and opaque after just one coat.

We don't know the exact shade of Essie polish the Duchess wore on her wedding day - rumours are rife that it was either Ballet Slippers or Allure - but both shades fit the neutral theme perfectly.