Being a female royal, whether by birth or marriage, brings with it a long list of protocols, particularly when it comes to appearance.

Everything from hems and necklines to jewellery and shades of lipstick are subject to regulations. As for nails, they should be kept short and painted in neutral and muted colours.

But rules are made to be broken, even by royals…so, can you identify who committed these acts of manicure mutiny?

1) No Inquisition needed

Known for her elegance and style, this royal displayed racy red nails when she attended an arts and literature prize giving event in 2018.

This royal displayed racy red nails when she attended an arts and literature prize giving event in 2018

A journalist before she married, she became queen of this European nation in 2018. 

Known for her strong opinions and leadership, it’s clear nobody is going to tell her what nail lacquer to wear, muchas gracias.

2) Royal rules? What are they?

Being told how to dress was something this royal detested during her time as a working royal, even claiming she wasn't allowed to wear bright colours - although on that one, recollections may vary.

However, she did bend the rules by wearing a dramatic shade of deep purple nail polish when she appeared onstage at The Fashion Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2018, cradling her baby bump.

3) Stylish to the Max...

What’s this? Scarlet polish AND long nails? This royal lady is really pushing dress code etiquette. 

This royal doesn’t given an (Amster) dam about fuddy duddy rules, as she proved when she attended a horticultural awards in 2016

Originally from Argentina, she is now Queen of this European country and, when it comes to her manicures, doesn’t given an (Amster) dam about fuddy duddy rules, as she proved when she attended a horticultural awards in 2016.

4) So whose Choice was brown?

The cookie she was icing was plain but the nails she sported were chocolate brown. 

This royal is said to have been a favourite daughter-in-law of the late Queen Elizabeth

Said to have been a favourite daughter-in-law of the late Queen Elizabeth, this fun royal broke protocol when visiting a hospice in 2020. 

A glossy gel manicure is fine for icing biscuits but not so practical when enjoying her carriage driving hobby.

5)  Red nails for the dragon lady?

The deep blue Catherine Walker dress coat was on message when this senior royal attended an Easter service at St George’s chapel in Windsor last year, the shade matching her famous sapphire engagement ring.

The short red nails were a surprise, is the shade Welsh Dragon Red?

6) Not-so-royal blue for a new queen

It’s hard to believe that this European royal was once a carefree Aussie girl working in advertising. 

This European royal was once a carefree Aussie girl working in advertising

Crowned Queen just last month, the mother of four sported electric blue nails earlier this week when attending an awards ceremony. 

Traditionalists may not have welcomed her choice but, according to the famous nursery rhyme, people who go by her name can often be quite contrary.

7) Chips off the old block

When you spend your life mucking out horses then some of your nail varnish is bound to chip off.

 This royal rebel, who at one stage had a pierced tongue, is as no-nonsense and horsey as her mum. Her manicure was in desperate need of some TLC when she attended the Festival of British Eventing at Gatcomb Park last summer. Does she care? As her mother might say: ‘naff orff.’

8) She's Alright, Jack

Long before she met her husband Jack, this Princess wore Union Flags on her nails.

 In 2012 London was hosting the Olympics and this person had just competed in a nighttime charity bike ride around London where, unlike her dad, she must have worked up quite a sweat.

ANSWERS 

1) Queen Letizia of Spain 2)  Meghan, Duchess of Sussex 3) Queen Maxima of the Netherlands 4) Duchess of Edinburgh 5) Catherine, Princess of Wales 6) Mary, Queen of Denmark 7) Zara Tindall 8) Princess Eugenie