Sophie Wessex breaks royal protocol by going against this strict beauty rule but we love it!

Sophie Wessex' beauty choice breaks royal protocol, according to the Queen's specific tastes, and shows why some rules should be broken

Sophie Wessex
(Image credit: Getty)

Sophie Wessex appears to be smashing through established royal protocols regarding fashion and beauty and this time around it's her manicure, which would have left the Queen a little miffed.


If Sophie Wessex leather dress wasn't indication enough that she's fond of a little vampish glam, then her scarlet talons are flying the flag for the iconic, sexy color palate. Sophie Wessex red nail polish may not seem like a big deal but according to the strict rules that female royals are expected to adhere to - the shade of choice is a big faux pas.

Sophie Wessex and Prince Edward's skills shown in new engagement, seen here at Shallowford Farm

(Image credit: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Essie Original High Shine and High Coverage Nail Polish, Was $9.99(£7.99) Now $8.84(£5.59) | Amazon
was $9.99 now $8.84 at Amazon UK

Essie Original High Shine and High Coverage Nail Polish, Was $9.99(£7.99) Now $8.84(£5.59) | Amazon

This gorgeous shade is an ideal shade for anybody looking to add a touch of glamour to their look. It's a pink-ish red that traverses the seasons and sits well on multiple different skin tones.

The Countess debuted her gorgeous shade of pinkish-red polish during her day out, which was for a very important cause. The hardworking royal has a history of taking special interest in charitable interest and her recent engagement was a visit to a charity called Step By Step, which is based in Aldershot. The charity is a young persons charity, which supports young people who are going through hard times, including homelessness. They provide accommodation, personal development opportunities, and specialist support services to empower young people and prevent homelessness.

The color of choice isn't the shade preferred by the late Queen, who favored a more minimal approach, focussing on clean-looking, plain, healthy nails with a more natural finish. Essie's Ballet Slippers is said to have been the late monarch's favorite shade and if you look at the fingernails of other female Royal Family members, it appears that they've taken her nail care tips to heart.

So much so that choosing a more understated color palette at the nail salon has become somewhat of a tradition for the female members of The Firm. Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Lady Louise Windsor, and the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton shy away from bright or dark nail colors.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets Laura Molloy and her 10-month-old son during a visit to St. John's Primary School in Glasgow

(Image credit: Photo by JANE BARLOW/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The list of royal protocols regarding matters of style and beauty among the Royal Family's women appears to be slightly endless, and it must be difficult to adhere to them at the best of times. From the appropriate length for your hemline, to if and when you can remove a jacket, and the shade of lipstick permitted - there's an awful lot to be considered.

Perhaps Sophie Wessex' red nail polish is a sign that these protocols and permissions are on the way out and we're totally here for it! 

Aoife Hanna
Junior News Editor

Aoife is an Irish journalist and writer with a background in creative writing, comedy, and TV production.

Formerly woman&home's junior news editor and a contributing writer at Bustle, her words can be found in the Metro, Huffpost, Delicious, Imperica and EVOKE.

Her poetry features in the Queer Life, Queer Love anthology.

Outside of work you might bump into her at a garden center, charity shop, yoga studio, lifting heavy weights, or (most likely) supping/eating some sort of delicious drink/meal.