Welcome to our nail art column–the Top Coat! Every week we’ll be doing a step-by-step nail art tutorial. We’ve already told you the essentials you need for a good nail art kit, so gather your tools and try our next project.

Thanks to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first anniversary, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, and playing host to the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games, London is having one hell of an exciting year. It’s only fitting that we fly the flag and pay tribute to the coolest city around with an easy-to-DIY Union Jack manicure. So take a cue from all those Olympic swimmers (and that torch-bearer, left) who have been sporting patriotic manis and pretend to be a Brit this week. We won’t tell.