It seems like Kate Middleton has a charmed life—she lives in palaces, she has a killer wardrobe, a gorgeous, supportive husband and kids. What's not to love? But apparently, there's one area where us mere mortals have the advantage—manicures. According to OK! Magazine, Kate does not wear bright nail polish ever because it's reportedly against the royal dress code.

The royal dress code apparently dictates that fake nail or brightly-colored nails are not appropriate for public appearances. Natural colors get a pass for big events, which explains why the one exception was the royal wedding in 2011, when Kate sported a mix of Essie's Allure ($9, amazon.com) and Bourjois no 28 Rose Lounge ($25, amazon.com), according to the Daily Mail. She tends to go without any polish the rest of the time.

RELATED: The Crazy $3 Secret Kate Middleton Swears By For Glowing Skin

For her part, Queen Elizabeth also follows these rules. She is in fact a devoted fan of Essie's Ballet Slippers ($9, amazon.com) —a shade she has been wearing for 30 years. According to Essie's website, the Queen's hairdresser sent the company's founder a letter requesting that very shade. (We also love this flattering nude polish from the Women's Health Boutique!)

In case you're going sans-polish like Kate, here's how to brighten your nails to make them look great:

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Considering all eyes are on the Duchess of Cambridge for her impeccable sense of style, she’s had a number of breakout fashion and beauty moments. There are her crazy affordable white sneakers from Superga, which she sported a lot last spring, bringing a new meaning to chic casual. She also chopped six inches off her hair this summer and everyone swooned.

But, lest you think she’s flawless, she responds to fans who called her beautiful and perfect with this down to earth response: “It’s just the makeup.” We’re pretty sure that makeup or no makeup, designer clothes or steals, nail polish or nude nails, she’s pretty close.

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Jessica Migala
Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more. She is based in the Chicago suburbs and is a mom to two little boys and rambunctious rescue pup.