Kate Middleton’s relatable beauty blunder at Peter Phillips’ wedding

The Princess of Wales chose to wear a stunning outfit for the wedding of Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling. 

Widely considered the best-dressed guest, the 44-year-old stole the show in her nude-coloured Roland Mouret tweed ensemble, topped with a resplendent Jane Taylor hat.

Kate’s chipped nails

The royal also carried a cream clutch bag by Forever New, and onlookers noticed she had painted her nails a subtle, flesh-toned shade. Although Kate has been a long-time fan of ‘naked’ nails, lately she has defied the unofficial royal beauty rule of unpolished nails, opting instead for a few coats of nude polish when appropriate.

© Getty Images

Upon closer inspection, you can see in the photos that there are a few chips on some of Kate’s nails. It’s subtle, but there is evidence of a little peeling.

© Samir Hussein/WireImage

This is a hugely relatable beauty problem, and we’ve all been in this position before, particularly if you aren’t using gel polish like the princess. After painting your nails, it often feels like you can’t do anything for fear of chipping them. Everyday tasks, such as washing the dishes or tidying up, can spoil a perfect manicure in seconds.

How to prevent chipped nails

A great way to combat this issue is to treat the nails before you apply polish. A long-lasting top coat that also adds colour is key, like the ‘Nail Strengthening Treatment’ by Margaret Dabbs, which stops nails from appearing dry and brittle but also acts as a nail concealer, adding a flesh-toned pop of colour.

Applying a cuticle oil, like the Orly ‘Breathable Cuticle Oil’, can work wonders, too, as it penetrates the nail plate, offering instant, yet deep hydration. This makes nails stronger, more flexible and stops them from splitting,  which can cause polish to chip like Kate’s.

Treating your palms with a hand cream is crucial too, as it restores moisture lost from frequent washing and, once again, protects the nail plate. Attitude’s Pear and Amber hand cream has nourishing properties that help combat dry skin.

Using a small collection of hand products like this acts as a healthy preventative measure for nails, rather than waiting for nails to chip before fixing them.