Meghan Markle Broke Royal Protocol With Her Nail Polish at the British Fashion Awards
December 10, 2018 6:40 pm
We already know Meghan Markle is unafraid to rock a messy bun, no matter how critical fussy royal watchers might be of her protocol-breaking signature style. And after the British Fashion Awards, we can add another entry to the list of ways the Duchess of Sussex is doing this whole royalty thing her own way.
Markle made a surprise appearance at the 2018 award show on Monday to honor Clare Waight Keller, the designer of her wedding dress. She wore a one-shouldered Givenchy gown, a low hair bun, and dark nail polish that broke with a longstanding royal beauty “rule.”
PHOTO: Joe Maher/BFC/Getty Images
Typically, royals (including Markle’s sister-in-law Kate Middleton) will wear pale shades of polish on their well-manicured nails for official appearances. The reason? Rumor has it that Queen Elizabeth II prefers it that way because she finds colorful nail polish—even if it’s a classic, non-trendy shade—vulgar. Her Majesty herself has been wearing Essie’s Ballet Slippers for decades. And so far, the Duchess of Sussex has played it pretty by-the-book on this front… until tonight.
She was attending a fashion event, after all—and an award-show setting that must have reminded Markle of her past life as an actress. The dark (maybe even black) polish color looked amazing with her one-shouldered gown and gold bangles—and was far from vulgar, to be sure, as you can see in the close-up below.
PHOTO: Jeff Spicer/BFC
Given that press critical of Markle has basically become a cottage industry, we’re sure to hear from some naysayers—however, Twitter was pretty excited to see her change up her mani. “Good on Meghan for not only wearing nail polish that isn’t pink but a bold dark color,” one user wrote. “Mannnn, Meghan Markle DGAF! LOOK AT THE BEAUTY!!! HER BUMP! HER DRESSSSSSS!!! Black nail polish too? I STAN A GORGEOUS REBEL!” said another.
https://twitter.com/WantToBeMePls/status/1072268157577031680
https://twitter.com/badgirlsoffilm/status/1072265733843968003
We also wholeheartedly approve—and are keeping our fingers crossed for a festive cherry red sometime this holiday season.
Related Stories:
Meghan Markle Followed the Queen’s Nail Polish Rule for the Royal Wedding
Here’s Why You’ll Never See Kate Middleton Wearing Red Nail Polish
The Fascinating Backstory Behind the Queen’s Favorite Nail Polish