Meghan Markle wore a ’00s-inspired French manicure for her latest public outing

Straight out of (the original) Mean Girls.

Meghan Markle has always been one to embrace minimalist glam, long before the term “quiet luxury” entered the lexicon as a descriptor for hair or nails.

Of course, that's to be expected: “Stealth wealth” is kind of the royal aesthetic — at least for more causal outings. (The women in the royal family are known to really show up and out for a black-tie event, especially one where tiaras are expected).

Though there's no official handbook, it's believed that the late Queen Elizabeth II preferred delicate, neutral nail shades. Meghan followed this rule at her wedding to Prince Harry and has primarily sported light pink, like Essie's Ballet Slippers, since and as recently as autumn 2023.

Meghan's latest manicure, however, deviates from the royal nail look ever so slightly. On January 23, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance at the premiere of Bob Marley: One Love, in Kingston, Jamaica.

Meghan sported an elegant low bun and minimalist makeup, both of which follow royal beauty traditions. Her manicure, however, wasn't pale pink or neutral, or filed into a squoval shape, as is expected. Instead she sported a classic square French manicure that looked like it came straight from the year 2004.

No, but actually: It is nearly the exact same style Rachel McAdams wore as Regina George in (the original) Mean Girls, which came out in 2004.

While it's definitely a throwback, Meghan is pretty much on trend. According to Michelle Nguyen, nail expert and founder of PLA Nails, sleek, quiet-luxury nails are here to stay, and one of the most popular ways to wear the trend is with French tips.

“French manicures with a sheer base and bold, vivid tip are a look to watch out for, as it blends a classic design with a pop of colour,” she says.

Meghan Markle, of course, took the classic route. Does this mean that the square, white-tipped French manicure is now back too? We think so.

A version of this article originally appeared on Glamour US.