Seamus Hammond
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a floral fragrance for women that was launched in 1935. The perfume has top notes of lavender, galbanum, bergamot, and lemon, middle notes of orange blossom, violet, lily-of-the-valley, rose, and geranium, and base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and vetiver. While the original perfume house folded, the fragrance lives on under the Five Star brand. Additionally, a second version, Royal Secret II, was launched in 1999. However, it appears that both versions of Royal Secret have been discontinued, as indicated by online listings and a company specializing in recreating discontinued fragrances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Royal Secret |
| Brand | Germaine Monteil |
| Type | Chypre floral fragrance for women |
| Launched | 1935 |
| Top notes | Lavender, galbanum, bergamot, lemon |
| Middle notes | Orange blossom, violet, lily-of-the-valley, rose, geranium |
| Base notes | Sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, vetiver |
| Longevity | 3.78 out of 5 |
| Sillage | 2.72 out of 4 |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Variants | Royal Secret II (launched in 1999) |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy Royal Secret perfume
Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil is available for purchase on several online platforms. Here are some places where you can buy it:
EBay
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is available on eBay. The listings include various forms of the fragrance, such as eau de parfum, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, and lotion. eBay offers a range of prices and conditions, including new with box, new without box, and vintage options.
Perfume.com
Five Star Fragrances' Royal Secret perfume is available for purchase on Perfume.com. This website offers free shipping on orders over $49.
Amazon
Amazon.com also has listings for Royal Secret perfume, although the brand is not specified. Amazon provides free shipping for eligible orders shipped by Amazon.
Fragrantica
While not a direct retailer, the fragrance website Fragrantica has several pages dedicated to Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil, indicating that the perfume is likely available for purchase through the site.
It is worth noting that Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil appears to be a vintage fragrance, with some sources indicating that it is no longer in production. As a result, prices for the original version may be high, and it may be challenging to find a retailer that carries it.
The Five Star Fragrances version of Royal Secret is more readily available and affordable, but some reviewers indicate that the formula differs from the original Germaine Monteil version.
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Notes and scent of the fragrance
Royal Secret by Germaine Monteil is a chypre floral fragrance for women. It was launched in 1935 and has top notes of lavender, galbanum, bergamot and lemon. The middle notes are orange blossom, violet, lily-of-the-valley, rose and geranium, while the base notes are sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla and vetiver.
The perfume has a unique fragrance, reminiscent of Emeraude, Interlude, Shalimar and similar perfumes. It is a warm and comforting scent, perfect for chilly days. The fragrance dries down to an expensive and luxurious body powder type of scent.
The top and heart notes are not very long-lasting, with the base notes coming through quickly. The scent is slightly sweet, but not like a buttercream vanilla. It is more of a quiet oriental fragrance, safe for the office.
The Royal Secret II version of the perfume, launched in 1999, has top notes of cinnamon, grapefruit and lemon, with middle notes of violet, jasmine and lily-of-the-valley. The base notes are sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla. This version has a slightly sharp, vintage perfume smell that evolves into creamy cinnamon, vanilla and sandalwood. It is a warm and comforting scent, perfect for cold, rainy winter days.
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Comparisons to other perfumes
The original Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil has been compared to Emeraude, Interlude, Shalimar, and similar perfumes, although it has been described as having a unique fragrance. One reviewer notes that it is a "wonderful warmer on a chilly day" and dries down to an expensive and luxurious body powder scent. Another reviewer notes that the scent is "sweet floral and suggestive of yesterday's fragrance" but becomes "denser and sweeter" over time, resembling celebrity fragrances like Britney Spears and Ariana Grande, as well as perfumes such as Wish by Chopard, YSL Paris, YSL Babydoll, Angel Mugler, Prada Candy, and Black Opium.
The Royal Secret II version of the perfume has been likened to Anne Klein II by some reviewers, while others note that it smells like "coco and cream" or a delightful modern scent for younger girls. The top notes of cinnamon, grapefruit, and lemon, along with base notes of sandalwood, patchouli, and vanilla, give it a warm and comforting feel, making it a perfect pick-me-up scent for cold, rainy winter days.
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The value of vintage bottles
The value of vintage perfume bottles varies depending on several factors. Age, rarity, condition, design complexity, and provenance all play a role in determining a bottle's value. Bottles with historical value or those associated with renowned perfume houses are often deemed more valuable due to their collectible nature.
The history of perfume bottles dates back to ancient civilizations, with some of the earliest examples originating from Egypt, featuring intricate decorations and images of princesses. During the peak of the perfume industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries, perfume bottles were not just functional containers but also works of art.
When evaluating the value of vintage perfume bottles, it is essential to authenticate their originality. Authentic antique bottles often bear unique shapes, intricate designs, and signatures or stamps from renowned designers or dealers. The International Perfume Bottle Association (IPBA) provides a comprehensive guide to help identify and value these items.
Certain perfume bottle designers, such as René Lalique and Baccarat, are particularly sought-after by collectors. For instance, a rare Lalique bottle from the Art Deco period sold for $84,000 at an auction. Baccarat bottles are renowned for their transparency, craftsmanship, and unique forms, often characterized by rich colours and precise cuts.
Vintage perfume bottles come in a variety of styles, from intricately decorated glass bottles to simple vials. Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and Folk Art styles are often sought-after by collectors. Some popular vintage perfume bottles include those produced by Archimede Seguso, Hermès, and Lalique.
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Alternatives to the original
While the original Royal Secret perfume by Germaine Monteil appears to be discontinued, there are a few alternatives that you can try.
Firstly, there is the “Five Star" version, which is still available for purchase. However, some reviews suggest that the quality of this version is not as good as the original. It is described as being better suited for hot summer days, as it is a lighter fragrance.
If you are looking for something closer to the original formula, you might want to explore companies that specialise in creating near-identical versions of discontinued perfumes, such as Fragrance Revival. They offer a 3.4-ounce bottle of their version of the original Royal Secret fragrance, promising to use high-end ingredients and skilled labour to recreate the scent.
Another option is to seek out vintage bottles of the original perfume. While it may be challenging to find, some people have reported discovering old, sealed packages of the perfume from the 1950s and even earlier. These could be valuable to collectors or those seeking the original scent.
Additionally, you could explore other perfumes with similar fragrances. Some perfumes mentioned as having similar scents to Royal Secret include Emeraude, Interlude, Shalimar, Teatro All Scala by Krizia, and L'Artisan's amber. These perfumes might provide a similar olfactory experience to the original Royal Secret.
Lastly, you could try creating your own version of the perfume by blending quality absolutes, oils, and concretes. This option may require some experimentation, but it could result in a fragrance that closely resembles the original Royal Secret.
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Frequently asked questions
It is currently unclear if the perfume has been discontinued. It is still available for purchase on eBay, and there are also companies that specialize in creating scents that smell nearly identical to discontinued perfumes.
There is the original Royal Secret, which was launched in 1935. There is also a Royal Secret II, which was launched in 1999.
The reviews for the perfume are generally positive. Some reviewers describe the scent as sweet floral and gourmand, while others note that it is a great perfume that is timeless. One reviewer mentions that the perfume lasts all day and that they have been using it for 30 years.
The perfume can be purchased online through various outlets, including eBay.
