Antonio Mcgowan
Princess Diana's favourite perfume has been a topic of interest for many, with several reports and rumours circulating about her preferred fragrances over the years. Interestingly, her son Prince Harry revealed in his autobiography, Spare, that his mother's favourite perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth and orchid. This scent holds a special significance for Harry, as it helped him process his grief after Diana's untimely death. Additionally, it is believed that Princess Diana wore Houbigant Paris' Quelques Fleurs on her wedding day, a fragrance with a vintage feel and floral notes. Other rumoured favourite perfumes of the late princess include Penhaligon's Bluebell, a floral green scent, and rose geranium by Floris.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Perfume Worn on Wedding Day | Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant Paris |
| Other Favourite Perfumes | First by Van Cleef & Arpels, Penhaligon's Bluebell, Givenchy Amarige, Guerlain Liu |
| Inspired by Sunshine | Hermès 24 Faubourg |
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What You'll Learn
Princess Diana's wedding perfume
Princess Diana wore Houbigant Paris' Quelques Fleurs perfume on her wedding day. The fragrance, which retails at $240, is a floral scent featuring Lily of the Valley. The Princess of Wales was getting ready at Clarence House on July 29, 1981, when she accidentally spilled the perfume on her voluminous gown. To hide the stain, Diana placed her hand over the spot, creating the illusion that she was holding up her dress as she walked down the aisle.
Quelques Fleurs has been a signature scent in the Houbigant collection since it was worn by Diana on her wedding day. The perfume house opened its first store in Paris in 1775 and was used by Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria, who granted Houbigant the title of "Perfumer to Her Majesty" in 1838.
In addition to Quelques Fleurs, Princess Diana was known to wear several other fragrances. One of her favourites was reportedly First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth and orchid on an amber base. Prince Harry recalled the scent in his autobiography, Spare, noting that it helped him process his grief after his mother's death in 1997.
Other perfumes that Princess Diana was rumoured to wear include Penhaligon's Bluebell, a floral green scent evoking British woodlands in spring, and Givenchy Amarige.
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First by Van Cleef & Arpels
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, as revealed by her son Prince Harry in his autobiography, Spare. The floral fragrance, which was first introduced in 1976, is composed of hyacinth and orchid on an amber base, with additional notes of jasmine, rose, tuberose, narcissus, carnation, iris, Turkish rose, blackcurrant buds, vanilla, vetiver, oakmoss, and sandalwood. The perfume is described as radiant, elegant, and glowing with aldehydes. The bottle design is refined and evokes a precious pendant with its airy jump ring, taking inspiration from High Jewellery and later influencing the design of the Valenciennes earrings, also known as Snowflake.
As the debut fragrance of Van Cleef & Arpels, First is a testament to the Maison's dedication to using the finest natural materials. Composed by master perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, it is one of the first perfumes ever developed by a jeweller. The scent is emblematic and has stood the test of time, remaining a beloved and iconic fragrance.
Today, First by Van Cleef & Arpels can still be purchased from select retailers, although it may be a little trickier to find compared to other perfumes. The perfume is available as an Eau de Parfum and an Eau de Toilette Spray, with the latter offered in a 3.3 oz size. The perfume's bottle and packaging reflect the elegance and refinement associated with the Van Cleef & Arpels brand.
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Penhaligon's Bluebell
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was reportedly First by Van Cleef & Arpels, as revealed by her son Prince Harry in his autobiography, Spare. Harry recalled how the scent helped him process his grief following his mother's death in 1997. He wrote:
> "We're breaking through,' [the therapist] said. 'Let's not stop.' [...] At the start of our session, I lifted the lid, took a deep sniff. Like a tab of LSD. I read somewhere that smell is our oldest sense, and that fitted with what I experienced in that moment, images rising from what felt like the most primal part of my brain."
Another fragrance long associated with Princess Diana is Hermès 24 Faubourg, which includes notes of jasmine, orange blossom and vanilla. It was the perfume she wore on her wedding day to King Charles III, and she accidentally spilled some on her dress.
Other rumoured favourite perfumes of Princess Diana include Penhaligon's Bluebell, a floral green scent created in 1978 that evokes British woodlands in spring; and Houbigant's Quelques Fleurs, which she wore on her wedding day.
It has also been rumoured that Meghan Markle may have captivated Prince Harry by wearing Princess Diana's favourite perfume when they first met. Royal biographer Angela Levin suggested that Meghan's choice of fragrance gave her an advantage in winning Harry's affection, noting, "The first time they met, she had Diana’s perfume on. Of course, Harry was just overwhelmed by that because he was a boy who loved cuddling up to his mother."
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Houbigant Paris' Quelques Fleurs
Princess Diana wore Houbigant Paris' Quelques Fleurs on her wedding day. The perfume was first created in 1912 or 1913 by master perfumer Robert Bienaimé. It is a floral fragrance with top notes of green, orange blossom, tarragon, bergamot, citruses, and lemon; middle notes of lilac, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, carnation, rose, tuberose, ylang-ylang, violet, heliotrope, iris, orris root, and orchid; and base notes of oakmoss, honey, civet, musk, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, and tonka bean. The perfume has a vintage feel and is described as fresh, clean, and elegant, with a beautiful floral trail that lingers without being overpowering. The Houbigant brand has a long association with royalty, dating back to Marie Antoinette and Queen Victoria. Quelques Fleurs has been a signature scent in the Houbigant collection for many years, known for its unique and perfectly balanced blend of classic floral notes with freshness.
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Fragrances favoured by Meghan Markle
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was reportedly First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth and orchid on an amber base. In his autobiography, Spare, Prince Harry recalled how the scent helped him process his grief after his mother's death. Diana also wore Hermès 24 Faubourg, a fragrance with notes of jasmine, orange blossom, and vanilla, on her wedding day.
Now, onto Meghan Markle's favourite fragrances. The Duchess of Sussex is a self-proclaimed perfume fanatic and has listed perfume as her "favourite thing". She has a few signature scents, including Jo Malone London's Wild Bluebell, a light and fresh fragrance with notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, white musk, and bluebell. Meghan also favours another Jo Malone London perfume, Wood Sage & Sea Salt, which has been described as "delicate, fresh, and quietly magical". In addition, Meghan wears Oribe's Côte d’Azur, a bright and fresh scent with top notes of lemon, plum, and black currant. For evenings out, she opts for the Bvlgari Blu II, a sensual yet floral fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana wore Houbigant Paris' Quelques Fleurs on her wedding day. She accidentally spilled some of it on her dress.
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels. Her son, Prince Harry, mentions this in his autobiography, Spare.
According to royal biographer Angela Levin, Meghan Markle wore Princess Diana's favourite perfume when she first met Prince Harry. This reportedly left a lasting impression on him.
