• Newsletters
  • Subscribe
/
1x
Style

The Nail Polish Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton And The Queen All Wear

The royals all love this drugstore polish.
Add as preferred on Google(opens in a new tab)
The Nail Polish Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton And The Queen All Wear

(Photo: OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

You'll only occasionally spot a British royal wearing a bold shade of nail polish — a neutral-toned manicure is one of the many royal protocols Kate Middleton and the Queen adhere to. And, while Meghan Markle does sometimes rock a dark-hued nail, she mainly sticks to a classic mani as well.

Turns out there is one shade all three women prefer: Essie's "Ballet Slippers," a subtle pale pink polish the Queen has worn since 1989, when her hairstylist wrote to the company asking for a bottle.

Her Majesty's nail colour of choice, Essie Ballet Slippers, complements her colourful wardrobe perfectly. Essie's "Ballet Slippers" is a soft-pink shade.

It's said to be the nail polish Meghan wore for her engagement announcement and, from the looks of her royal outings since then, she's sticking to the shade, or one very much like it.

Kate, who often goes without polish, is apparently a fan of the semi-sheer hue, too.

Advertisement
Kate Middleton nail polish colour: photo of kate middleton holding a purse Kate Middleton's mani at a 2017 event. (Photo, Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images.)

For the Duchess's own wedding, she customized things with a blend of Essie’s "Allure" and Bourjois So Laque Nail Enamel in "Rose Lounge" (a pastel pink hue).

Originally published February 2018; Updated January 2019.

Watch: Duchess Meghan visits Smart  Works in high style

The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link

More Like This

The 4-in-1 Bikini Top For All Your Summer Plans

The 4-in-1 Bikini Top For All Your Summer Plans

From the pool to the patio, this convertible swimsuit works wherever the day takes you.
Chatelaine Summer 2026 cover, featuring a woman biting into a burger.

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Sandwiches! Sundaes! Jello shots! Plus the lowdown on the female desire pill, women who hit major life milestones at 50 and guest editor Meredith Shaw's all-Canadian summer lookbook.