Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle & the Queen's favourite lipsticks

October 23, 2024

You might think a lipstick is pretty innocuous but when you're a royal, it comes with its own rule book. While you won't find the royals swatching an entire lippy range on the back of their hand, you will find most of them following protocol – that means sticking to a neutral, natural shade to avoid any makeup mishaps.

The Queen, though, never followed such a rigid routine and loved to wear a much brighter lip than her younger counterparts. Other royals have since followed suit and have been known to experiment with a bolder lip, or a super shiny finish. From Princess Kate's never-without-it nude to Lady Kitty Spencer's lipstick mash-up, you might find your new favourite shade in a royal makeup bag. I've taken a deep-dive into the lipsticks favoured by the royals ahead of National Lipstick Day on July 29.

Meghan Markle

For the royal wedding, Meghan shunned lipstick to stick a more natural lip duo; she layered Dior Lip Glow in Coral Glow, a sheer balm that enhances your own lip colour, with a lip crayon underneath. Meghan's fave? Honest Beauty Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Sheer Chestnut Kiss.

Wedding aside, Meghan is said to love Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria, a spicy brown shade created for Victoria Beckham.

The Princess of Wales

Kate is a Bobbi Brown fan, and relies on the brand for her lip colour too. Princess Kate always, always wears a nude, natural lip with Bobbi Brown's Sandwashed Pink Lipstick her handbag essential.

For her wedding to Prince William, she is believed to have popped a swipe of Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Colour Lip Gloss over the top for extra shine.

Princess Diana

Princess Diana did, on occasion, wear a reddish-orange tone, with hints of brown (a good copy would be NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane) but more often than not, it was a much more natural lip that Diana sported.

One colour we know she did wear, on an engagement shoot for Vogue, was Max Factor’s Tint of Pink Lipstick. Although discontinued, Max Factor's Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy is a similar shade.

The Queen

Her Majesty was rarely spotted without her signature shade – she's been photographed many times reapplying.

As well as having her own personalised shade of red from Clarins (to match her ceremonial robes), HRH was said to favour Elizabeth Arden’s Beautiful Colour Lipsticks. We're hazarding a guess that it’s the Electric Pink shade she was a fan of.

Zara Tindall

For her wedding day to Mike Tindall, Zara is said to have worn Bobbi Brown make-up, including the brand's Shimmer Lip Gloss - we're taking an educated guess that she's a fan of the Bare Sparkle shade for a subtle yet shiny glow.

Lady Kitty Spencer

Princess Diana’s niece, Lady Kitty Spencer, always hits the best-dressed lists. Perfectly complementing her blonde locks is her perfect pout.

Lady Kitty actually used two lipsticks to create her own bespoke lip shade - Charlotte Tilbury's Lipsticks in Super Cindy and Pillow Talk. We think she's onto something – if you can't find your perfect nude, mix them up!

Charlotte Casiraghi

Stylish Charlotte, the daughter of Princess Caroline of Monaco and Stefano Casiraghi, is definitely one of the coolest royals – and her makeup game is a lesson for us all in effortless chic.

She's been quoted as saying her go-to look is "red lips and a bit of black around the eyes", the red lip in question being Gucci's Iconic Red Lipstick.

Princess Grace of Monaco

The grand dame of timeless chic, Grace Kelly was all about her iconic red lip – and was said to be faithful to Dior for her beauty as well as her style.

Since she was a muse for the fashion house, it was only right that she championed their makeup too; she was a fan of Rouge Dior, the exact shade we don’t know but we can guarantee you’ll find a similar darker, soft rouge in shade 999 Satin.

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