The Queen’s fashion rules that Meghan Markle will have to follow
With Meghan Markle officially joining the royal family in May when she weds Prince Harry, we take a closer look at the fashion etiquette rules she’ll have to start following.
1. Do not go bare-legged
It is a requirement for women in the royal family to wear pantyhose during public outings, according to royal correspondent Victoria Arbiter. Prince Harry’s bride-to-be Meghan Markle has repeatedly broken this rule, most notably during their engagement photocall, but as she’s not officially a royal yet she may still be given some leeway. However, when she attended the Commonwealth Day event at Westminster Abbey, where the Queen was also in attendance, Markle donned pantyhose.
2. Do not wear colourful nail polish
There’s a reason you never see Duchess Kate wearing the trendiest nail colours – she’s not allowed to. The royal ladies stick to pale pastel colours and natural-looking nails. However, the royal women are allowed to wear bright colours on their toes.
3. They must have an all-black outfit handy
When travelling abroad, every royal member must pack an all-black outfit in their suitcase, in case of a sudden death. This means they’ll be dressed appropriately upon return home to England. The rule was instated when Queen Elizabeth had to rush back from Kenya 1952 after her father, King George VI, died. She had to wait in the landed plane for a few hours while someone brought her a change of clothes.
4. Not everyone can wear a tiara
The tiara is usually only worn during white-tie affairs but even then, not all the royal women can don one. Traditionally, the tiara is worn by brides and married women. "For married ladies it was a sign of status and would show you were taken and not looking for a husband," etiquette expert Grant Harrold, known as the Royal Butler, shared with the BBC. "For the gentleman it was a clear sign not to make advances toward the lady in question."
5. The Queen MUST wear bright colour
Her Majesty is known for her penchant for bright and colourful outfits but it’s not just a personal preference. It turns out the Queen wear loud colours in public so the crowd can see her at official events. She reportedly once said, "If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am."