For centuries, royals have been setting the agenda for us mere mortals, using their far-reaching access to dabble in trends from around the globe and shifting historical beauty standards in the process. From makeup and hairstyles to body image, the blue bloods have been instrumental in defining what is in vogue and desirable.
Though we now have celebrities, magazines, influencers and TikTokers to proliferate these ideals, we’re still enthralled by routines of figures like Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle, who have become style icons in their own rights.
When the Duchess of Cambridge wore a fuchsia pink Seraphine dress for her first official portrait with her husband, Prince William, and son George, the brand confirmed it sold out in just two hours. A spokesperson also confirmed it had enjoyed a 400% increase in sales after it was revealed the princess wore its dresses. When the former Duchess of Sussex donned Art Deco-style emerald earrings from British brand V By Laura Vann, the style became the must-have accessory, sparking copycat styles everywhere.
With all the sartorial intrigue these regal ladies garner, many can’t help but wonder what they wear underneath it all. No, we aren’t talking about their underwear; we are referring to their favourite fragrances.
A personal style choice that can’t be seen, it’s safe to say that we’re intrigued by the royals’ go-to fragrances. Below, the exact perfumes that four iconic royals have shared and where to snatch up the scents yourself.
The go-to perfumes of the royal family
Kate Middleton’s favourite fragrances
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For her fairytale wedding to Prince William in 2011, the then-Duchess of Cambridge wore the White Gardenia Petals fragrance by small British perfumer Illuminum. The delicate springtime scent features a top note of lily with heart notes of gardenia, ylang-ylang and jasmine, and amber wood underscores.
The Princess of Wales also reportedly loves the scent of Dior ‘Dune’, an oceanic-inspired fragrance with notes of lily, peony, amber and lichen. Looks like she has a penchant for soft florals!
Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite fragrances
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According to Vogue, Queen Elizabeth II reportedly enjoyed wearing Guerlain L’Heure Bleue, which was created way back in 1912.
A classic for over a century, the fragrance features top notes of aniseed and bergamot, heart notes of tuberose, carnation, violet, rose, and neroli, as well as base notes of Tonka bean, iris, benzoin and vanilla. A diplomatic blend of diverse notes, if we do say so.
Meghan Markle’s favourite fragrances
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“[Fragrance] is my favourite thing,” Markle told The Express, giving away her go-to bottles—including a British signature. “So much so that if I leave the house and I don’t put any on, I’ll turn around and go back home. I alternate between a few scents. I love Oribe ‘Côte d’Azur’ Eau de Parfum and both the ‘Wild Bluebell’ and ‘Wood Sage & Sea Salt’ colognes by Jo Malone.”
Princess Diana’s favourite fragrances
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“She always, always, always wore fragrance,” Princess Diana’s former makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, told ABC News. “It’s kind of the final touch of beauty, walking out smelling divine and chic and individual.”
According to HELLO!, the late royal preferred fresh and fruity fragrances such as Penhaligon’s ‘Bluebell’. The scent boasts fragrant citrus head notes mixed in with essences of Lily of the Valley, jasmine and rose, and a drop of clove and cinnamon. As a Dior fan, she was also said to favour ‘Diorissimo’ from time to time.
Grace Kelly’s favourite fragrances
When the American movie star married Prince Rainier III in 1956, the royal commissioned a signature perfume for his bride-to-be—true romance, if you ask us.
Created by the British fragrance house Creed, ‘Fleurissimo’ features a light and feminine scent with tuberose, iris and violet. Continuing its history-making legacy, the scent would later become a favourite of First Lady Jackie ‘O’ Kennedy.
This story first appeared on GRAZIA International.
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