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If you seek to enhance your style for 2025, selecting your new signature fragrance might be the perfect starting point. And as the saying goes, one is never completely attired without a spritz of perfume.
The ultimate accessory that completes any ensemble, a high-quality scent can instantly elevate your appearance. Just consult the royal family. If you’ve ever been curious about Kate Middleton’s preferred fragrance, contemplated what the Countess of Wessex wore on her wedding day, or wondered about the go-to perfumes of the late Queen Elizabeth II, you are not alone.
While most individuals may not be able to afford the wardrobe of royal family members, replicating their fragrances presents a more budget-friendly means to emulate their signature style. Certainly, there are no bottles on this list that might be deemed ‘cheap’, but for many, they could easily find a place on your Christmas wishlist, or be a lovely treat when a work bonus arrives.
So, continue reading to explore the beloved fragrances of the women of the British Royal Family…
Fragrances favored by the British Royal Family
Kate Middleton favors Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne
As reported by fashion outlets like Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, the Princess of Wales’ signature scent is the well-loved Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne. To add a unique touch to her nuptials, candles infused with this fragrance were lit as she walked down the aisle.
Jo Malone characterizes the perfume as a “shimmering garden oasis” where “clementine flower sparkles over a heart of orange blossom and water lily, with warm notes of orris and balsamic vetiver.” It sounds enchanting and, despite its title, according to the florid description, it’s definitively more of a floral arrangement than a citrus scent.
Orange Blossom Cologne is available on the Jo Malone website, priced at £118 for 100ml.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex prefers Oribe Côte d’Azur
A somewhat more luxurious selection is Meghan Markle’s acknowledged favorite, Oribe Côte d’Azur. She once shared with The Express: “Fragrance is my favorite thing – so much so that if I leave the house without it, I’ll turn around and return home.”
While she mentioned alternating between several scents, she expressed her affection for “Oribe Côte d’Azur Eau de Parfum.” Crafted by one of France’s most historic fragrance houses, the scent is described as having “sundrenched notes of Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood.” The creators assert this perfume “embodies the allure and warmth of the illustrious destination,” the Côte d’Azur.
The fragrance is sold at Cult Beauty for £121 for 75ml.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh opts for Romance by Ralph Lauren
A designer brand frequently associated with the royals, it is Ralph Lauren’s Romance perfume that was the Duchess of Edinburgh’s selection for her wedding day. Characterized as “timeless, feminine, and romantic,” it certainly seems like an ideal choice.
Ralph Lauren states that their Romance Eau de Parfum blends “sensual, velvety woods with exquisite floral notes and comforting musks to create this uniquely modern floral scent.” They mention that the initial impression is ‘sensual and warm’, which evolves into the floral bouquet of rose, jasmine, and marigold, culminating in a “timeless femininity,” with the base notes of “velvety soft woods, oak moss, and seductive woods” creating a “long-lasting and comforting sensuality.”
Romance is available from The Fragrance Shop website priced at £80 for members and £100 for non-members.
Princess Anne, Princess Royal favors Hermès Calèche
It’s commonly known that the signature perfume of Princess Anne is Hermès Calèche. Given Anne’s passion for equestrian activities, it’s hardly surprising that the packaging features an image of a horse and carriage.
The bottle design takes inspiration from the lanterns of horse-drawn carriages, and the black cap draws parallels to a riding helmet. Described as “a very feminine blend,” Calèche eau de toilette features “the joyfulness of citrus fruit alongside modern aldehyde notes; from the floral heart enhanced by ylang-ylang, rose, and jasmine to the woody, chypre sillage” and is “underscored by the nobility of the iris.”
Hermès Calèche is currently offered on the Sephora website at £102.70 for 50ml, down from £119.
Princess Diana cherished First by Van Cleef & Arpels
In Prince Harry’s autobiography, Spare, he cited First by Van Cleef & Arpels as the fragrance he most associated with his late mother, Princess Diana. Composed by Jean Claude Ellena in 1976, the scent remains a classic today.
Inspired by the Snowflake High Jewellery collection, the fragrance is depicted as a “magnificent floral bouquet of jasmine” complemented by “notes of citrus fruits, spring, exotic flowers, and woody aromas,” culminating in a “tribute to the poetry of nature.”
First by Van Cleef & Arpels can be found on the My Origines website at a discounted price of £54.36 for a 100ml spray, reduced from £88.78.
