The Queen's Favorite Fragrances: A Royal Perfume Affair

did perfume the queen wear

Queen Elizabeth II's fragrance choices have been a topic of interest since her passing, with many people curious about the perfumes she wore. While it is unknown how many fragrances the Queen had in rotation, it is speculated that she wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a spicy citrus scent with a powdery dry down, and Floris of London's White Rose, a floral yet musky blend of rose, iris, amber, carnation, and jasmine. The Queen was also reportedly a fan of Chanel No. 5 and Lubin's Black Jade, among other fragrances. With her signature scents, the Queen continues to leave an indelible mark on the memories of those who knew her.

Characteristics Values
Favourite Perfumes White Rose by Floris, L’Heure Bleue by Guerlain
Wedding Perfume White Rose by Floris
Perfumes Worn Creed Fleurissimo, Chanel No. 5, Yardley Lavender

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Queen Elizabeth's signature scent

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly had two favourite perfumes: White Rose by Floris and L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain. She wore the former on her wedding day and throughout her life. The scent, which was first created in 1971, features aldehydes, green notes, and carnation, with a heart of rose, violet, iris, and jasmine, and a base of amber, musk, and powdery notes.

L'Heure Bleue, a scent that dates back to 1912, combines delicate, powdery florals with neroli and tonka bean. It also includes notes of carnation, cloves, ylang-ylang, benzoin, musk, and vetiver. The late Queen was also a fan of Chanel No. 5. In a 1955 letter to Prince Philip's chief of staff, she wrote, "As usual, you have discovered just the very thing I particularly wanted, and I want to thank you very much indeed for the birthday present of the Chanel scent."

Floris of London, the maker of her signature scent, was given the Royal Warrant as Her Majesty's exclusive perfumers in 1971. The Mayfair-based perfumer is also reported to have counted Florence Nightingale and Lord Admiral Nelson among its customers. The latter is said to have bought Floris White Rose for his mistress, Lady Hamilton.

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Floris of London

Floris London's White Rose perfume is believed to be Queen Elizabeth II's signature scent, although this was never officially confirmed. The Queen reportedly wore White Rose on her wedding day and throughout her life. The fragrance features aldehydes, green notes, and carnation in its top notes, with a heart of rose, violet, iris, and jasmine, and a base of amber, musk, and powdery notes. Other famous wearers of White Rose include Florence Nightingale and Lord Admiral Nelson's mistress, Lady Hamilton.

Floris London also released a special scent in honour of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne. The Platinum 22 eau de parfum is an oriental woody fragrance inspired by the beautiful gardens surrounding the Queen's home. Both the Queen and Meghan Markle wore scents by Floris London on their wedding days.

In addition to Floris London's White Rose, Queen Elizabeth II was also fond of Guerlain's L'Heure Bleue. This classic fragrance combines delicate, powdery florals with neroli and tonka bean, with additional notes of carnation, cloves, ylang-ylang, bonzoin, musk, and vetiver.

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Guerlain L'Heure Bleue

L'Heure Bleue is said to capture the fleeting moment when "the night has not found its star yet," representing the softness of life and romantism. The scent is described as velvety soft, sensual, and unforgettable. It has been a favourite of many famous artists and is reportedly one of the perfumes worn by Queen Elizabeth II.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was believed to have multiple fragrances in rotation, and L'Heure Bleue was one of her favourites. The scent saw a significant sales surge after the Queen's passing. The royal family has long been associated with the perfume industry, and it is rumoured that the Queen even had her own exclusive perfume created.

L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain is available as an eau de parfum spray and can be purchased from retailers such as Amazon. The scent is described as complex, unusual, and long-lasting, with a unique evolution on the skin. It is recommended to apply it to pulse points and layer with other Guerlain products for a more intense fragrance experience.

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Chanel No. 5

Queen Elizabeth II's love for Chanel No. 5 was revealed in a letter she wrote in 1955, thanking her husband's chief of staff, Major Frederick "Boy" Browning, for gifting her the perfume for her 29th birthday. The letter, written on Windsor Castle stationery, expresses her delight in receiving the scent, describing it as "just the very thing I particularly wanted." It is currently on display at the V&A's "Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto" exhibition, which celebrates the life and work of Chanel, the founder of the iconic fashion house.

The exhibition also features an original Chanel No. 5 bottle from 1921, the year the fragrance was launched. Chanel No. 5 was the first scent launched by Chanel, and its iconic flacon, or bottle, was designed to be more masculine, distinguishing itself from the ostentatious bottles of the time. The exhibition explores Chanel's innovative approach to both fashion and fragrance, including her early marketing techniques, such as misting her Rue Cambon boutique with the scent to entice passersby.

Queen Elizabeth II's appreciation for Chanel No. 5 adds to the legacy of this timeless fragrance, reflecting its enduring appeal and elegance.

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Lubin's Black Jade

The story behind the fragrance adds to its allure. It is said that the queen gave a black flask containing the scent to a close friend when they parted ways, and the scent captured the memory of their happy days together in the spring evenings in the intimacy of the Petit Trianon, away from the pomp of the court. The black jade bottle held the last remaining scents of a secret garden, and the fragrance was appropriately renamed "Black Jade" to reflect this story.

Overall, Lubin's Black Jade is an intriguing fragrance with a rich history and a unique blend of notes that create a warm and mellow scent.

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Frequently asked questions

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a spicy citrus with a powdery dry down. It has been a classic for the fragrance house since its creation in 1912. She was also a fan of Chanel No. 5, as revealed in a 1955 letter to Prince Philip's chief of staff.

The Queen's other fragrances include Floris White Rose, Creed, and Floris. Lubin, a French fragrance house, also created a fragrance for the Queen in 2011 called Black Jade, which included notes of rose, jasmine, cinnamon, incense, and sandalwood.

Other members of the royal family have also expressed their love for fragrances. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, favours Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell, Oribe Côte d'Azur, and Penhaligons. Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore Illuminum White Gardenia Petals on her wedding day and also uses Jo Malone's Grapefruit and Orange Blossom.

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