Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Here Are the Favorite Lipstick Shades of the Women of the Royal Family

    Get ready—National Lipstick Day is on July 29.

    Rachel Burchfield#039;s avatar
    By Rachel Burchfield
    Published 26 July 2023 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    The Princess of Wales at the Top Gun premiere
    (Image credit: Getty)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    There is a holiday for literally everything, it seems, and, if you didn’t know, it’s apparently National Lipstick Day on July 29 (in just three days!). If you want to rock lipstick like a royal, you’ve come to the right place—we’re here to break down the favorite shades of the royals, from the Princess of Wales (both of them!) to Queen Elizabeth.

    Per Hello, as with so many things, there is royal protocol surrounding lipstick royals choose, which “means sticking to a neutral, natural shade to avoid any makeup mishaps,” the outlet writes. “The Queen, though, never followed such a rigid routine and loved to wear a much brighter lip than her younger counterparts.” (Quite a shift from her preference for nail polish, which were nudes or a light pink; her favorite shade was Essie’s Ballet Slippers.) Let’s dig in.

    Elizabeth Arden Rose Petal Lipstick

    Elizabeth Arden Rose Petal Lipstick
    Elizabeth Arden Rose Petal Lipstick
    $18 AT MACY'S

    Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    The aforementioned Queen was rarely spotted without her signature shade and was photographed many times over the years reapplying (relatable). Her late Majesty, as one does when one is monarch, had her own bespoke shade of red lipstick from Clarins (to match her ceremonial robes, Hello reports), but she also favored Elizabeth Arden’s lipsticks, so much so that the brand had a Royal Warrant.

    Bobbi Brown Pink Cloud Lipstick Bobbi Brown Pink Cloud Lipstick

    Bobbi Brown Pink Cloud Lipstick
    $41 AT NORDSTROM

    Catherine, the Princess of Wales

    You may like
    • Princess Kate wearing a tan blazer and waving These 7 Royal Beauty Finds Are Going in My Amazon Prime Day Cart
    • girl in jean and a white top with a blue bag taking a mirror selfie next to two pink lipsticks Why Spend $60 When a Drugstore Lip Combo Looks This Good?
    • Princess Charlotte wearing a blue dress at Wimbledon Princess Charlotte Switched Up Her Manicure to the Rich Bare Nail Trend

    Kate, like so many of us, is a Bobbi Brown aficionado and favors “a nude, natural lip,” with Bobbi Brown’s Sandwash Pink Lipstick, Hello reports. (Sandwash Pink has been discontinued, unfortunately, but the line’s Pink Cloud shade is a close match.) When she married Prince William in 2011, “she is believed to have popped a swipe of Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Color Lip Gloss over the top for extra shine,” the outlet writes.

    Bobbi Brown Crushed-Oil Infused Gloss in In the Buff Bobbi Brown Crushed-Oil Infused Gloss in In the Buff

    Bobbi Brown Crushed-Oil Infused Gloss in In the Buff
    $20 AT ULTA

    Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    Meghan is an admitted lover of all things beauty, and her taste is impeccable: Meghan’s reported favorite lipstick brand is Honest Beauty’s Truly Kissable Lip Crayon, and another that tops the list is Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria—“a spicy brown shade created for Victoria Beckham,” Hello reports. For her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan paired Dior Lip Glow in Coral Glow—a sheer balm that enhances your own lip color—with a lip crayon underneath.

    Honest Beauty#039;s Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Blossom Women Honest Beauty's Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Blossom Women

    Honest Beauty's Truly Kissable Lip Crayon in Blossom Women
    $10 AT AMAZON

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria
    $35 AT SEPHORA

    Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral

    Dior Addict Lip Glow in Coral
    $40 AT SEPHORA

    Diana, the Princess of Wales

    Though she often went more natural when it came to her lip color, “Diana did, on occasion, wear a reddish-orange tone, with hints of brown,” Hello reports. (A good example of this? NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane.) For her engagement shoot for Vogue, Diana wore Max Factor’s Tint of Pink lipstick; that was in 1981, so that color is discontinued, but never fear—Max Factor’s Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy is similar in color.

    What to read next
    • Princess Kate wearing a red blazer and smiling I'm Adding These Royally-Approved Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks to Cart
    • Princess Kate sitting in a car wearing a white blouse and brown hat Princess Kate’s Summer Hair Switch-Up Has Become a Balmoral Tradition
    •  Princess Kate wearing a fall jacket walking in front of a stone building I'm Adding These Princess Kate-Inspired Fall Finds to Cart

    NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane

    NARS Audacious Lipstick in Jane
    $34 AT NORDSTROM

    Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy

    Max Factor Colour Elixir Lipstick in Pink Brandy
    $17 AT AMAZON

    Zara Tindall

    The only daughter of Princess Anne, like her cousin-in-law Kate, wore Bobbi Brown on her own 2011 wedding day to Mike Tindall. She wore the line’s Shimmer Lip Gloss, and “we’re taking an educated guess that she’s a fan of the Bare Sparkle shade for a subtle yet shiny glow,” Hello writes.

    Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Gloss in Bare Sparkle

    Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Gloss in Bare Sparkle
    Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Gloss in Bare Sparkle
    $32 AT SEPHORA

    Lady Kitty Spencer

    Princess Diana’s glamorous niece created her own bespoke lip shade, combining Charlotte Tilbury’s lip colors in Super Cindy and Pillow Talk, per Hello. “We think she’s onto something—if you can’t find your perfect nude, mix them up,” the outlet writes.

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Super Cindy Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Super Cindy

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Super Cindy
    $35 AT SEPHORA

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk

    Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk
    $35 AT SEPHORA

    Explore More
    Cosmetics Meghan Markle makeup
    Rachel Burchfield
    Rachel Burchfield
    Social Links Navigation
    Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor

    Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more. 

    Read more
    Princess Kate sitting in a car wearing a white blouse and brown hat
    Royals Princess Kate’s Summer Hair Switch-Up Has Become a Balmoral Tradition
    By Kristin Contino
    Princess Catharina Amalia wearing a red top and smiling
    Royals Europe's Future Queens Are Making Their Own Royal Beauty Rules
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    two girls wearing brown lipstick on a yellow background next to brown lipstick on chocolates
    Makeup My Fair Skin and I Are Finally Getting on Board the Brown Lipstick Trend for Fall Violette_FR's new Chocolat Bisou Balm is the most flattering shade.
    By Samantha Holender
    Queen Camilla holding an umbrella wearing a trench coat and hat
    Royals Queen Camilla Shares One Fall Style Hero With Princess Kate
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie and Prince Harry walking through grass at Althorp
    Royals Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Are Changing Schools After Just 2 Days
    Princess Anne wearing a coat and paisley scarf
    Royals Princess Anne Gets a "Round of A-Paws" from Sheep Dogs in Timeless Paisley Look
     
     
    Meghan Markle wearing a blue striped shirt
    Royals Meghan Markle Transforms Her Wardrobe from California to Cotswolds
    Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana (1961 - 1997) and Prince Charles at Victoria Station, London, where they will welcome a state delegation from Nigeria, March 1989.
    Royals Why Queen Elizabeth "Was Furious" With Princess Diana
     
     
    Latest in News
    collage of celebrities wearing the red-and-purple color combination trend for The A-List Edit
    Celebrity Style The Shockingly Chic Color Combo That's Taking Over the Runways and My FYP
    Princess Lilibet, Prince Archie and Prince Harry walking through grass at Althorp
    Royals Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Are Changing Schools After Just 2 Days
     
     
    Bella Hadid arrived at New York Fashion Week in a patchwork Coach bag and Ugg boots
    Celebrity Style Bella Hadid Returns to NYC With a Coachtopia It Bag and VIP-Beloved Ugg Boots
    Katie Holmes wore a white crewneck sweater, black trousers, and leather loafers at the 2026 US Open
    Celebrity Style Katie Holmes Styles This Editor-Endorsed NYFW Uniform at the 2026 US Open
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.