Kate Middleton's Red Nails Are a Big Departure For the Royal

Kate Middleton celebrated Easter with a bold manicure — at least by royal standards. On April 9, the Duchess of Cambridge attended Sunday church service at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, wearing an electric-blue pea coat and a matching fascinator. All eyes, however, were on her bright red nails.

While Middleton's nails were kept their natural, short length and filed into a square shape, the departure came when they were then painted in a cherry shade and finished with a glossy top coat for added shine. Middleton accessorized with a blue clutch and her sapphire wedding rings, which matched her earrings.

Searches for "Kate Middleton red nails" immediately skyrocketed, with people trying to get a look at the princess's polarizing manicure. While there is no expressly written rule that royals must adhere to specific nail polish colors, it has generally been expected that they stick to neutrals. Middleton, for example, typically opts for either no polish at all or a very light pink shade, and the late Queen Elizabeth II famously wore the same Essie polish since 1989: Essie's Ballet Slippers ($10). It has been reported that the late monarch preferred the women in the royal family to wear the shade as well, hence why you rarely saw Meghan Markle or Middleton in dark or bright polish.

Is this the start of a new nail era for Middleton? We will definitely be keeping an eye out for this potential evolution in her beauty journey. Take a closer look at her red nails below.