Meghan breaks royal protocol during surprise appearance

She may have wowed the fashion world thanks to her stylish outfit but Meghan’s surprise appearance broke royal protocol.

Meghan Markle’s surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards was nothing short of iconic.

The Duchess of Sussex wowed the fashion crowd in a one shoulder, velvet gown by Givenchy to present the award for British Womenswear Designer of the Year to her wedding dress designer, Clare Waight Keller.

But while all eyes were on Meghan’s stunning dress, the former actor’s look signalled a break in royal protocol that is said to be personally disliked by Her Majesty the Queen.

The Duchess of Sussex’s surprise appearance broke royal protocol. Picture: John Phillips/BFC/Getty Images

Meghan wore dark nail polish for the event. Picture: Tristan Fewings/BFC/Getty Images

Cradling her bump, Meghan’s hands were adorned with a dark shade of nail polish, a look that is — shock horror — shunned by members of the royal family.

Queen Elizabeth II is said to consider coloured nail polish vulgar and will only wear Essie’s pale pink shade Ballet Slippers, OK Magazine reports.

The Queen’s rule on nail polish is followed by Kate Middleton, who wore the Ballet Slippers shade during her 2011 wedding to Prince William.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, sans pantyhose, pose for their engagement photos. Picture: Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Meghan didn’t wear a hat for her first engagement alongside the queen. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

It’s not the first time Meghan has shunned royal protocol in her fashion choices, famously not wearing pantyhose during her engagement photo call with Prince Harry last year.

During her first outing with the Queen in July, Meghan reportedly disregarded instructions from the monarch’s aides to wear a hat for the occasion.

The 92-year-old was said to be left “baffled” by Meghan’s lack of hat on the day, the Daily Mail reported.

Meghan’s surprise solo appearance at the fashion event comes amid reports of tension between her and the other royals.

Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle

Earlier this month the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed they would be moving out of Kensington Palace for Frogmore Cottage in Windsor.

The surprise move prompted stories of a rift between the couple and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Harry has reportedly accused William of trying to “wreck his relationship” with Meghan after the older brother voice concerns over the former actor.

Meanwhile Meghan is said to have made Kate cry during a fitting for Princess Charlotte’s bridesmaid dress shortly after the Duchess of Cambridge had given birth.