Yesterday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first public appearance since returning to the UK last month, stepping out in Nottingham to visit the Community Recording Studio (CRS) youth project. The reception? Nothing short of rapturous, with royal fans lining the streets for a glimpse of the couple, and, naturally, the opportunity to snap a selfie. As ever, Meghan Markle’s fashion and beauty choices were thrust into the spotlight. The actress chose to embrace a distinctly British wardrobe, layering a Joseph wool-cashmere blend coat with a crepe skirt by Fold.
Her beauty look followed suit. Hair was swept back into a sleek, glossy high ponytail, while her complexion had its signature lit-from-within finish - cheeks gleaming with a delicate dusting of pearlescent highlighter. But it was her manicure that really caught the beauty set’s attention - short, square and painted in the kind of hue that could only be described as ‘princess pink_.’_
According to Daisy Kalnina, founder and CEO of The GelBottle Inc, the appeal lies in the shade’s ‘delicate restraint.’
'"Princess pink’ describes an ultra-clean, soft, sheer manicure that leans into milky pinks, pale rosy beiges and neutral blush tones. It’s not about heavy colour; it’s about creating an understated wash of pink, finished with a high-shine gloss for a timeless, effortlessly polished look.'
Aside from her wedding manicure, Meghan has previously attracted attention for "breaking" - albeit unwritten - royal protocol via her choice to wear darker nail polish. At the 2018 British Fashion Awards she chose to team glossy black nails with her one-shouldered Givenchy gown. This softer iteration, however, feels considerably more in keeping with the understated aesthetic favoured by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and even the late Queen, who herself was known for her love of Essie’s Ballet Slippers - an elegant, milky pink.
‘This is the ultimate diplomatic look,’ says Kalnina. ‘While darker polishes or statement nail art have occasionally challenged traditional royal beauty conventions, a sheer, milky pink or soft neutral is entirely aligned with the understated, polished aesthetic favoured by senior royals. It is classic, refined and entirely unassuming, making it a foolproof choice. For high-profile appearances, opting for a pared-back neutral signals effortless sophistication while still looking fresh and clean.'
Of course, the shade itself is only part of what makes Meghan’s manicure feel so distinctive. The length and shape of her nails are equally integral to the overall effect, lending the manicure its pared-back feel.
‘“Princess pink” works with almost any length, although it looks particularly striking when worn short,’ Kalnina explains. ‘A clean, short, rounded-square or soft squoval shape allows the minimalism of the shade to truly shine. Keeping the length restrained accentuates the clean-girl aesthetic, making it feel intentionally fuss-free rather than overly dramatic. If you prefer a longer nail, keeping the edges soft prevents the shape from looking harsh.’
How to recreate Meghan’s princess pink manicure
For a salon-worthy finish, Kalnina recommends asking your nail technician for 'a sheer, milky pink or soft rosy-beige builder gel'. Blush BIAB or Notting Hill gel polish, both from The GelBottle, are her suggested options.
‘Request a natural, short squoval shape, immaculate cuticles and a high-shine, glossy top coat to lock in that glass-like finish,’ she advises.
If you're keen to recreate the look at home, start by filing your nails into a short, rounded-square shape, then gently push back your cuticles to create what Kalnina calls a 'neat, clean canvas'. Apply a strengthening base coat before layering on one or two thin coats of sheer milky pink or translucent neutral polish. 'The key is to maintain a delicate wash of colour rather than an opaque finish,' she adds/
For an at-home manicure, Kalnina recommends Peacci’s Gossipor French Bloom. ‘Finish with an ultra-glossy top coat to achieve that signature, light-catching sheen.’
Nails fit for a princess. Well. Almost…
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s Beauty director. Originally from Northern Ireland, she studied English Literature at Queen’s University Belfast, before moving to London to pursue a career in magazine journalism.
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