Seamus Hammond
The British royal family has long been associated with luxury and elegance, and their choice of perfumes is no exception. From Queen Elizabeth's signature scent to Princess Kate Middleton's wedding fragrance, the perfumes worn by the royals have become iconic in their own right. With their unique blends of floral, citrus, and musky notes, these fragrances evoke a sense of sophistication and timelessness. While some royal perfumes are bespoke creations, others are more mainstream, but all of them reflect the impeccable taste and refinement associated with royalty. In this topic, we will delve into the world of royal perfumes, exploring the scents that have become synonymous with the British royal family and uncovering the stories behind them.
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Elizabeth II's signature scent was Floris White Rose
- The Queen wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a classic fragrance created in 1912
- Chanel No. 5 was another perfume favoured by the Queen
- Meghan Markle wore a bespoke Floris scent on her wedding day
- Princess Diana's wedding day fragrance was Quelques Fleurs by Houbiquant
Queen Elizabeth II's signature scent was Floris White Rose
Floris White Rose is a romantic and fresh bouquet of white roses, preceded by violet leaf and carnation. It is a powdery floral scent with a faint incense note underneath. The perfume has remained modern, with a natural smell, and is considered a signature scent worthy fragrance.
The late Queen Elizabeth II wore Floris White Rose on her wedding day in 1947, and continued to wear it throughout her life. The scent is said to have old-world and old-money vibes, which are very reminiscent of Her Majesty the Queen.
Floris of London also released a special edition scent in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. The Platinum 22 eau de parfum is an oriental woody scent inspired by the Queen's beautiful gardens surrounding her home.
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The Queen wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a classic fragrance created in 1912
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a fragrance created in 1912. It is a spicy citrus scent with a powdery dry-down, combining delicate, powdery florals with neroli and tonka bean. The scent also features notes of carnation, cloves, ylang-ylang, benzoin, musk, and vetiver. It is a classic fragrance with an unexpected twist, reflecting the Queen's appreciation for timeless elegance.
The Queen's signature scent is believed to be Floris White Rose, a floral yet musky blend of rose, carnation, musk, and amber. The fragrance house Floris of London was reportedly her favourite, and they were granted the Royal Warrant in 1971 as Her Majesty's exclusive perfumers. The Queen wore Floris White Rose on her wedding day and continued to spritz it throughout her life.
Floris, a Mayfair-based retailer, has a long history of serving royalty. Devoted wearers of their fragrances have included Florence Nightingale, and Lord Admiral Nelson, who bought Floris White Rose for his mistress, Lady Hamilton. The brand honoured Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee by releasing a special edition scent.
In addition to Guerlain L'Heure Bleue and Floris White Rose, the Queen was also fond of Chanel No. 5. A 1955 letter from the Queen to Prince Philip's chief of staff, Frederick Arthur Montague Browning, mentions a birthday present of Chanel scent, displayed at the V&A museum's retrospective on Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel.
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Chanel No. 5 was another perfume favoured by the Queen
Chanel No. 5, created by Ernest Beaux in 1921 for Coco Chanel, was another perfume favoured by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume launched by the French couturier. The Queen's fondness for Chanel No. 5 was revealed in a 1955 letter to Prince Philip's chief of staff, Frederick Arthur Montague Browning. In the letter, which was displayed at the V&A museum's retrospective on Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the Queen expressed her gratitude for the birthday present of the Chanel scent.
The inception of Chanel No. 5 is steeped in stories that are challenging to verify. However, it is believed that Chanel met French-Russian perfumer Ernest Beaux in 1920 and tasked him with creating a scent that would make its wearer "smell like a woman, and not like a rose." Chanel envisioned a fragrance that would embody the liberated feminine spirit of the 1920s, reflecting her unconventional views on sexuality and female empowerment.
The chosen formula, which debuted in 1921, was an intricate blend of jasmine, ylang-ylang, May rose, and sandalwood, complemented by a generous dose of aldehydes. The aldehydes contributed to the perfume's distinctive "clean" scent, reminiscent of freshly laundered clothing. Chanel No. 5 challenged traditional perfume conventions by blending the sensuality of jasmine and musk with indefinable flowers and aldehydes, transcending the notion of perfume as an indicator of social status.
The design of the Chanel No. 5 bottle has been integral to the product's branding. Chanel sought simplicity and clinical aesthetics to set her perfume apart from the ornate designs commonly found on perfume counters. The bottle shape underwent a redesign in 1924, and the octagonal stopper became a brand signature. Over the years, the stopper has undergone various modifications to harmonise its size and proportion with the bottle. The pocket flacon, designed for portability, was introduced in 1934, and the perfume's pricing and container size were adjusted to appeal to a broader market.
Chanel No. 5's longevity and cultural impact are evident in its enduring popularity and iconic status. The perfume's complex blend of notes creates a multifaceted and elegant scent, earning its reputation as a masterpiece in the world of fragrances.
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Meghan Markle wore a bespoke Floris scent on her wedding day
The royal family is known for setting trends, and their choice of perfume is no exception. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, wore a bespoke scent by Floris on her wedding day in May 2018. Floris is a centuries-old British perfumer with a royal warrant from Queen Elizabeth II. The brand has held this warrant since 1820 and has created perfumes for major royal events, including the Queen's birthday each year.
Floris created a custom scent for Meghan, inspired by the brand's existing unisex fragrance, Bergamotto di Positano. This perfume is a citrus scent with notes of green tea, orange blossom, ginger, and bergamot. It is said to be inspired by sea breeze, sunshine, and shimmering water, as well as a beautiful love story. The scent was submitted to Kensington Palace for consideration and was likely chosen by Meghan due to her previous preference for Mediterranean fragrances.
The choice of a Floris perfume for her wedding day puts Meghan in the company of other royal women. The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum on her wedding day in 2011. Princess Diana wore Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant Paris when she married Prince Charles in 1981. Queen Elizabeth II is also believed to have worn a Floris scent, White Rose eau de toilette, on her wedding day in 1947.
Floris's royal warrant and history of creating bespoke fragrances for the royal family showcase the brand's longstanding association with royalty. The choice of a custom scent by Meghan Markle for her wedding day highlights the importance of perfume in leaving an indelible mark on the memory and elevating any outfit or occasion. The right fragrance can make one feel sophisticated and confident, as demonstrated by Meghan's selection of a bespoke Floris scent for her special day.
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Princess Diana's wedding day fragrance was Quelques Fleurs by Houbiquant
Princess Diana's wedding fragrance, Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant Paris, is a sophisticated and romantic scent with a royal legacy. The perfume, a sumptuous blend of tuberose, jasmine, lily of the valley, and rose, created an enchanting aura that complemented her bridal ensemble. The choice of this fragrance by Princess Diana not only reflected her refined elegance but also added to the perfume's prestige and royal association.
Quelques Fleurs, which translates to "some flowers," is a soft white floral scent with a vintage feel. It was first introduced by Houbigant Paris in 1912, revolutionizing the perfume industry as the first true multi-floral fragrance. The complexity of the perfume lies in the expert blend of its noble ingredients. Delicate tuberose notes gracefully float through the air, while rich, velvety rose essence forms the heart of the fragrance. Intoxicating jasmine adds depth and sophistication, complemented by a harmonious blend of additional florals.
The top notes of Quelques Fleurs include bergamot, tarragon, and lemon, while its rich base notes feature honey, vanilla, sandalwood, and oakmoss. The perfume has a moderate to strong sillage, making it perfect for special occasions and adding a touch of royalty to any outfit. The scent is long-lasting and can be worn throughout the day, with its moderate longevity allowing it to linger for up to six to eight hours.
Princess Diana's choice of Quelques Fleurs for her wedding to Prince Charles in 1981 further solidified the fragrance's status as a royal favourite. It is said that she accidentally spilled a small amount of the perfume on her wedding dress before walking down the aisle, creating a memorable connection between the scent and her historic wedding day. This minor mishap has only added to the romantic legacy of her fragrance choice, with many fragrance enthusiasts seeking out this "princess-approved" scent to capture a bit of Diana's timeless sophistication.
The choice of Quelques Fleurs by Princess Diana also highlights the enduring appeal of royal wedding perfumes, which have shaped beauty traditions for generations. They are not just scents but pieces of history that connect people to memorable moments in time. The fragrance, with its enchanting floral bouquet, continues to represent the height of aristocratic elegance, maintaining its prestigious status as a beloved and sought-after perfume.
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Elizabeth II's signature scent was believed to be Floris White Rose by Floris of London, a British-made perfume that she wore on her wedding day and throughout her life.
The Floris White Rose fragrance is a floral yet musky blend of rose, iris, amber, carnation, and jasmine.
Queen Elizabeth II was also fond of Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a classic spicy citrus fragrance with powdery floral notes, and Chanel No. 5.
Princess Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, wore Illuminum White Gardenia Petals on her wedding day and also likes Jo Malone's Orange Blossom Cologne. Meghan Markle often wears Jo Malone's Wild Bluebell, and on her wedding day, she wore a bespoke Floris blend.
Princess Diana wore Houbigant's Quelques Fleurs, a white floral scent, on her wedding day. Her favourite perfume was reportedly First by Van Cleef & Arpels, which includes notes of hyacinth, rose, jasmine, amber, and sandalwood.
