It's officially time to start trading those summery brights for cosy autumnal tones, with Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, having inspired us with her own chic, chocolatey manicure.
While the 2026 nail trends have thrown a few curveballs at us this year, there are always a handful of looks that are guaranteed to return each season. In the spring, it's pastel pinks, the summer, juicy sorbet nails; and in the autumn, rich burgundies and browns. The latter, in fact, is already creeping back in, with Duchess Sophie herself having just been photographed with the classic - and may we say, incredibly luxe-looking - nail colour.
In a portrait shared by Buckingham Palace on August 18th, announcing that she will now serve as royal patron of Visualise Scotland, a charity dedicated to providing support for adults with disabilities and visual impairments, the Duchess of Edinburgh wore a lovely cream dress, complemented by a short chocolate brown manicure.
Aptly named, this chocolate brown Manucurist nail polish is a lovely choice for recreating Duchess Sophie's look. Just two to three coats, followed by a glossy clear layer with afford you a very sophisticated manicure at home.
For a slightly cheaper option, this warm brown essie nail colour is another great pick for autumn. It's pigmented, quick-drying and very glossy, ideal for a quick nail zhush.
No manicure is complete without a trusty top coat, and dark nail colours especially, can really benefit from a final layer of shine. This one from essie boasts a gel-like, glossy gleam - ideal for achieving a very professional and long-lasting look at home.
Chocolate brown is very much a timeless autumnal nail colour, as not only does it mirror the cold-weather fashion trends but also the changing leaves and the desire we have during the season to wrap up warm and sip on hot drinks. In fact, this shade instantly makes us think of hot chocolates - and what's more autumnal than that? It's the sort of colour that goes with everything, be it a knit jumper and jeans or a cream dress, as shown by Duchess Sophie.
The pairing of a trimmed nail length and dark colour is also something of a failsafe when pursuing a very chic look. They offset each other so well, with the style making the shade feel more versatile and wearable. There's also something so neat about them, and the same goes if you were to opt for dark red or burgundy nails.
This, of course, isn't the first time we've seen the royal sporting a dark nail colour. Last year she wore burgundy and taupe-y shades, so if you're ever in need of styling tips, Duchess Sophie is definitely the one to look to.
