Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 20, 2025 · Entertainment

Charlotte Tilbury's Royal Oops: How She 'Got All the Protocol Wrong' at Buckingham Palace

Charlotte Tilbury revealed how she got royal protocol 'all wrong' when meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2018

TILBURY TAKES ON THE ROYALS: Charlotte's Shocking Protocol Blunder at Buckingham Palace

In a candid confession, beauty mogul Charlotte Tilbury has revealed her cringe-worthy protocol faux pas when she met the late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE. The makeup mogul, known for her flawless creations and impeccable style, admitted that she got it all wrong during the investiture ceremony.

Speaking exclusively to The Telegraph (and we're dying to know more!), Charlotte confessed, "All I remember is her incredibly blue eyes and how they sparkled when I said how much I loved corgis." But what followed was a series of mishaps that would leave even the most seasoned royal watchers giggling. "I do know I got all the protocol wrong," she continued. "Couldn't walk backwards, turned my back on Her Majesty... after all, you never turn your back on royalty!"

The makeup mogul received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, for her significant contributions to the beauty and cosmetics industry, in 2018- five years after first launching her cosmetic business

For those who may be unfamiliar with the intricacies of royal protocol, let's break it down: when meeting a member of the British monarchy, one is expected to bow for men or curtsy for women, address them formally (e.g., "Your Majesty"), and avoid turning their back on the royal. But don't worry, Charlotte; we've all been there – even the Queen herself has made her share of gaffes over the years.

The beauty guru was overjoyed to have received her MBE from the late Queen in 2018, five years after launching her cosmetics empire. "I felt full of pride, excitement and a little nervous to meet Her Majesty," she told Elle at the time, revealing that she'd love to give the monarch a makeover – yes, you read that right!

Charlotte's fashion sense was on point for the occasion, donning a chic black Alice Temperley dress accessorized with a hat from couture milliner Victoria Grant. But it was her infectious enthusiasm and admiration for the Queen that truly stole the show.

Speaking to The Telegraph, she explained that she 'turned her back on the late monarch after receiving the honour

In an ode to Her Majesty, Charlotte launched a bespoke lipstick shade, "The Queen," as part of her Platinum Jubilee collection. The pink hue is said to evoke the monarch's enduring style and beauty. When asked about the inspiration behind the shade, she gushed, "I wanted to create a lipstick that honoured the Queen and her timeless elegance – she is an inspirational woman who makes me incredibly proud to be British!"

Fast-forward to 2025, and Charlotte has solidified her position as one of the UK's most successful beauty entrepreneurs. Her eponymous brand boasts an estimated fortune of £350million, earning her a spot on The Sunday Times' inaugural Beauty Rich List.

The list features 19 women and 14 men who have built their wealth through various beauty ventures, including skincare, haircare, makeup, and even tanning shops. Other notable magnates include John Frieda (Frizz-Ease fame) and Trinny Woodall (BBC's What Not to Wear alum).

The beauty guru, who adored the late Queen, claimed she made a few protocol errors when receiving her honour at Buckingham Palace at the investiture ceremony

We can't help but wonder: what's the secret to Charlotte's success? From her humble beginnings as a celebrity make-up artist to becoming a household name, it's clear that this beauty mogul has earned every penny. So, here's to Charlotte Tilbury – may she continue to dazzle us with her beauty creations and royal protocol (or lack thereof) for years to come!

The Beauty Rich List 2025: Meet the Magnates

According to The Sunday Times' inaugural Beauty Rich List, this year's crop of entrepreneurs boasts a combined estimated wealth of £2.174billion. Here are some key takeaways:

Charlotte Tilbury with supermodel Kate Moss in London, 2013. After working on some 100 Vogue covers, in 2013 she launched her beauty and skincare range in Selfridges, with the collection becoming the retailer's biggest-ever beauty launch for turnover

  • Charlotte Tilbury tops the list with an estimated fortune of £350million.
  • 19 women and 14 men make up the list, showcasing the diversity of beauty entrepreneurship in the UK.
  • The list includes individuals from various backgrounds, including those who came to the UK as child refugees or left school with few qualifications.

As Robert Watts, compiler of the list, so aptly put it, "There are so many inspiring people with rags-to-riches stories here. They've built successful beauty brands making products people love, creating jobs, and contributing decent sums to the public finances."

Phoebe McDowell, beauty and interiors director at The Sunday Times, echoed this sentiment: "Beauty is big business, and this inaugural list demonstrates the power of creativity and innovation in the sector. These entrepreneurs have not only built brands but changed the way we think about hair, makeup, and skincare."