Why Kate Middleton Never Wears Nail Polish in Public

Would you trade your mani for Prince William?

Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Getty)

As Kylie Jenner once said, "I feel like this year is really about, like, the year of just realizing stuff." And if there's one thing we've realized in 2017, it's that Meghan Markle has officially put the nail in our princess dreams.

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But just because we've accepted our muggle fate doesn't mean our royal obsession has died. Our dreams of catching Will's/Harry's eye over a cheeky sambuca shot in a Chelsea nightclub may be over, but that doesn't mean we can't still act like the princesses we were meant to be. 

Which is why we want to know what beauty products the royal family use, because even if we can't be actual royalty, doesn't mean we can't smell like it. But if you really want to act like royalty, you're going to have to say goodbye to your rainbow-colored nail polish collection.

That's because colored nail polish and fake nails are not part of royal etiquette, as OK! magazine revealed. For Kate, that meant throwing out her nail paints in favor of clean, natural nails.

Kate Middleton

Guinness is allowed, nail polish is not.

(Image credit: Getty)

Kate Middleton

A Prince William approved nail inspection.

(Image credit: Getty)

Kate Middleton

"Guys, I’m wearing nail polish on my toes."

(Image credit: Getty)

But if Kate does ever get the nail polish urge, she can be sure that there is one color the Queen will fully approve of: Essie's Ballet Slippers. A light, pinkish nude (of course) the Queen has been rocking since 1989. (Though Middleton did wear a different shade to wed Prince William.)

BUY IT Essie Ballet Slippers Nail Polish

Marie Claire

(Image credit: Marie Claire)
Laura Capon

Laura writes about everything beauty and fashion related for Cosmopolitan UK and specialises in makeup, plus-size fashion and the world of YouTube. Her favourite pastime is reminding everyone of that one time she met Charlie Hunnam and Jason Momoa. Please don't ask to see the pictures...