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8 Fragrances Actually Worn by Royals—and Where to Buy Them
From Marie Antoinette to Kate Middleton, here are the fragrances royals—both past and present—adore.
When it comes to picking a fragrance, most people have specific scent preferences—including royals! Perfume or cologne is such a personal choice, and it can set the tone for how you are perceived by the world or even what mood you're trying to convey. Think about it: Fresh and floral notes are perfect for a romantic wedding, while a warm cologne is ideal for cozy winter nights. If you've ever wondered which perfume Princess Diana wore or which cologne has earned a place on King Charles III's vanity, look no further. We've rounded up the fragrances that have actually been worn by royals, both past and present.
King Charles III
In Prince Harry's book, Spare, he detailed that his father, King Charles III, has a strong sense of smell. "He was always sniffing things. Food, roses, our hair. He must've been a bloodhound in another life," Harry said. "Maybe he took all those long sniffs because it was hard to smell anything over his personal scent: Eau Sauvage."
With notes of lemon, rosemary, petit grain, basil, jasmine and vetiver, we can see why this elegant, fresh and herbaceous cologne is made for a king.
Kate Middleton: White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum
Ever the trendsetter, the Duchess of Cambridge chose White Gardenia Petals, a breezy floral perfume by little-known British house Illuminum, for her wedding.
This feminine and refined scent is reminiscent of a fragrant bouquet of white flowers. It features top notes of lily; heart notes of gardenia, ylang ylang and jasmine; and base notes of amber. We can see why Kate reportedly wore this on her wedding day!
Grace Kelly: Creed Fleurissimo
Leather supplier James Henry Creed turned to perfume in 1780, creating Royal English Leather for King George III. Prince Rainier of Monaco commissioned Fleurissimo, an elegant floral, in 1956, as a wedding gift for his bride, Grace Kelly.
Bergamot, ylang ylang and iris combine to make this a floral perfume that's perfect for channeling the elegance of Grace Kelly on special occasions.
Marie-Antoinette and Princess Adelaide D'Orleans: Houbigant
Marie-Antoinette carried three vials of her beloved Houbigant fragrance to her execution—and maybe to her wedding. The house has since reimagined many of its regal scents, including Princess Adelaide D'Orleans's Quelques Fleurs Royale.
Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs Royale Extrait Parfum, 3.3 oz./ 98 mL
Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs Royale Extrait Parfum, 3.3 oz./ 98 mL
This regal perfume has top notes of black currant and grapefruit; heart notes of jasmine, rose, violet tuberose, and beeswax; and base notes of sandalwood, cedar wood, vanilla and musk.
Princess Diana: First by Van Cleef and Arpels
In Prince Harry's book, Spare, he says that his mother, Princess Diana, used to wear First by Van Cleef and Arpels. He says, "I lifted the lid [of the perfume], 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 perfume is currently sold out everywhere, but thankfully Princess Diana had another favorite fragrance: Penhaligon's Bluebell.
With notes of citrus, hyacinth and clove, this perfume strikes the perfect balance between fresh, floral, warm and gourmand.
Sultan Qaboos: Amouage
Founded by a member of Oman's royal family in 1983, Amouage makes scents inspired by the country's natural resources, from frankincense and myrrh to rock rose. An independent board oversees the house today, but the bottles' caps are an homage to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat.
This complex fragrance has top notes of resin, coriander, orange, davana, frankincense and blackberry; middle notes of honey, bay, cinnamon, orchid, rose, clove, celery seeds, and gaiac wood; and base notes of patchouli, resin, myrrh, cedarwood, musk, moss, ambergris, oud, wood, and imortelle.
Czar Alexander II: Eau de Cologne Russe
Despite its French roots, the house of Guerlain spent much of its early history whipping up fragrances for such Russian royals as Czar Alexander II . Eau de Cologne Russe was created for him in the mid-19th century. Though no longer made, you can find your own royal scent at Guerlain.
Guerlain Les Absolus d'Orient Santal Royal Eau de Parfum
Guerlain Les Absolus d'Orient Santal Royal Eau de Parfum
This woody and mysterious unisex fragrance has top notes of neroli and jasmine; middle notes of peach, rose and cinnamon; and base notes of sandalwood, leather, amber, oud and musk.
Meghan Markle: Oribe and Jo Malone
Meghan Malone revealed in an interview with the Express that she has three signature scents: "Fragrance is my favorite thing, so much so that if I leave the house and I don’t put any on, I’ll turn around and go back home." She added, "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."
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
Jo Malone London Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
With earthy notes of ambrette seeds, sea salt, sage, this fragrance is reminiscent of fresh, salty beach air.
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