Princess Diana's favourite perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth, orchid, and amber. In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry revealed how his mother's signature scent helped him process his grief after her death in 1997. He described the powerful connection between smell and memory, recalling how he brought a bottle of her perfume to a therapy session. Princess Diana was also known to love other fragrances, including Penhaligon's Bluebell, Hermès 24 Faubourg, and Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs, which she wore on her wedding day.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of Fragrance | First by Van Cleef & Arpels |
Type of Fragrance | Eau de Parfum/Eau de Toilette |
Fragrance Notes | Hyacinth, Orchid, Amber, Rose, Jasmine, and Sandalwood |
Price | £59.95-£68 |
Other Favourite Fragrances | Penhaligon's Bluebell, Hermès 24 Faubourg, Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs |
What You'll Learn
- Princess Diana's favourite perfume was Penhaligon's Bluebell
- First by Van Cleef & Arpels was used by Prince Harry in therapy
- She wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs on her wedding day
- Other favourite fragrances of Princess Diana include Hermès 24 Faubourg
- Princess Diana's makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, said she always, always, always wore fragrance
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was Penhaligon's Bluebell
Penhaligon's Bluebell has long been rumoured to be one of Princess Diana's favourites, and it is a fragrance that is still available today. It is priced at £125 for a 100ml bottle and comes in the brand's iconic boudoir-style bottle with a pretty blue bow. The royal perfume brand holds a Royal Warrant and has released a scent in conjunction with King Charles, inspired by Highgrove Gardens.
Princess Diana's love for fragrance is well-known, and her perfume choices have been confirmed by those who knew her personally, including her makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, who said that "she always, always, always wore fragrance". Another fragrance closely associated with Princess Diana is First by Van Cleef & Arpels, which her son, Prince Harry, revealed was his mother's favourite. In his memoir, Spare, he shared how the scent helped him process his grief after her tragic death in 1997.
Another scent that holds a special place in Princess Diana's life is Houbigant Quelques Fleurs l'Original, which she wore on her wedding day to Prince Charles in 1981. This perfume is said to be the first true multi-floral bouquet ever created, with notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, carnation, violet, and rose on a woody base.
Penhaligon's Bluebell remains a timeless and iconic fragrance, beloved by Princess Diana and many others, offering a delightful sensory experience that evokes the beauty of British woodlands in spring.
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First by Van Cleef & Arpels was used by Prince Harry in therapy
In his autobiography, Spare, Prince Harry revealed that his late mother, Princess Diana, was a fan of First by Van Cleef & Arpels. He also shared how the scent helped him process his grief in a therapy session.
First by Van Cleef & Arpels is a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth, orchid, and amber. It was first launched in 1976 and has since become a classic. The perfume is said to be conservative yet romantic.
In his book, Harry details how he brought a bottle of the perfume to a therapy session following his mother's tragic death in 1997. He was just 12 years old at the time. During the session, the therapist urged him to explore his emotions by taking a deep sniff of the perfume.
> "We're breaking through," she said, "Let's not stop."
Harry continued:
> "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."
The scent of First by Van Cleef & Arpels clearly played a powerful role in Prince Harry's grief journey, helping him to connect with his emotions and memories of his mother.
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She wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs on her wedding day
Princess Diana was known for her love of fragrances, and on her wedding day in 1981, she wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs. This perfume is said to be the first true multi-floral bouquet ever created, with notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, carnation, violet, and rose on a woody base. It was a fitting choice for the late royal's special day, as she walked down the aisle to marry Prince Charles, who is now King Charles III.
The choice of fragrance is a deeply personal one, and Princess Diana's favourite perfumes offer a glimpse into her elegant and sophisticated taste. Over the years, there have been several reports and rumours circulating those scents that were believed to be her favourites. Some of these fragrances have been confirmed by those closest to her, including her makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, who revealed that "she always, always, always wore fragrance".
Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs, the perfume she chose for her wedding day, holds a particularly memorable association with Princess Diana. It is reported that, on the morning of her wedding, she accidentally spilled some of the perfume on her dress. This small mishap only adds to the charm and significance of her chosen fragrance for such a momentous occasion.
In addition to Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs, Princess Diana's favourite fragrances also included Penhaligon's Bluebell, Van Cleef & Arpels First Eau de Parfum, and Hermès 24 Faubourg. Each of these perfumes reflects her refined and timeless style, with floral and romantic notes. Princess Diana's son, Prince Harry, also shared a connection to her favourite scents, as he revealed in his memoir, "Spare". He recalled how her signature perfume helped him process his grief in the aftermath of her tragic death.
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Other favourite fragrances of Princess Diana include Hermès 24 Faubourg
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, as revealed by her son, Prince Harry, in his memoir, Spare. However, other fragrances were closely associated with the late royal. One of them was Hermès 24 Faubourg, a floral fragrance inspired by sunshine and composed by Maurice Roucel in 1995. It has been described as "all jasmine, orange blossom and vanilla", with top notes of hyacinth, orange, ylang-ylang, peach and bergamot; middle notes of orange blossom, gardenia, jasmine, black elder and iris; and base notes of amber, sandalwood, patchouli and vanilla.
Hermès 24 Faubourg was reportedly one of Princess Diana's favourite fragrances, as confirmed by her former butler, Paul Burrell, in his book, A Royal Duty. It is said to be a scent for the most refined, elegant and mysterious woman. It has been described as sumptuous, sophisticated, unique, refreshing, unforgettable, and well worth the effort and expense.
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Princess Diana's makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, said she always, always, always wore fragrance
Princess Diana's makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, revealed that the princess always wore fragrance. "It's a huge thing in a woman's life," Greenwell told ABC News in 2014. "It's kind of the final touch of beauty, walking out smelling divine and chic and individual."
Over the years, there have been several reports on the scents that were rumoured to be Princess Diana's favourites, with a few of them being confirmed by those who knew her personally.
One of her favourite perfumes was Penhaligon's Bluebell, a fresh and fruity fragrance with citrus headnotes, mixed with essences of lily of the valley, jasmine, and rose, as well as a drop of clove and cinnamon. This was also reportedly a favourite fragrance of Harry's wife, Meghan Markle, who has cited Wild Bluebell by Jo Malone London as one of her signature scents.
Another favourite of Princess Diana's was First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a floral fragrance with notes of hyacinth, orchid, and amber. In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry revealed that this was his mother's favourite scent. He shared how the scent helped him process his grief in a therapy session following her tragic death in 1997.
Hermès 24 Faubourg, a fragrance inspired by sunshine, was also among Princess Diana's preferred perfumes. It features notes of jasmine, orange blossom, and vanilla. Her former butler, Paul Burrell, mentions this scent in his book, "A Royal Duty," about his time with the late Princess of Wales.
Lastly, for her wedding to now-King Charles III in 1981, Princess Diana wore Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs l'Original. This perfume is a concoction of various floral notes, including jasmine, lily of the valley, carnation, violet, and rose, all on a woody base.
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Frequently asked questions
Princess Diana's favourite perfume was Penhaligon's Bluebell.
Princess Diana also loved First by Van Cleef & Arpels, Hermès 24 Faubourg, and Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs l’Original, which she wore on her wedding day.
Penhaligon's Bluebell is a fresh and fruity fragrance with citrus headnotes, mixed with essences of Lily of the Valley, jasmine, rose, clove, and cinnamon.
In his memoir, Spare, Prince Harry revealed that he took a bottle of his mother's favourite perfume to a therapy session to help him process his grief following her death.