There are a dizzying number of royal rules that must be observed if you're a member of the British monarchy. From the proper order of greetings (which we painfully witnessed on this past season of The Crown), to the contents of a bridal bouquet, royal protocols and customs even extend to beauty rituals like manicures and perfume.
According to Myka Meier, the founder of Beaumont Etiquette who was trained by a former member of the Queen’s household staff and is the author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy, both the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle are at liberty to wear whatever fragrance they’d like on their own time. But while representing the Crown, “it is uncommon for Royals to wear any fragrance whatsoever,” she tells BAZAAR.com. “Fragrance is a very personal preference, and while one might enjoy their own personal perfume, the person they are meeting with may not. Therefore, in professional situations, it’s unlikely any fragrance, including both perfume or scented body creams, would be used.”
But when Kate and Meghan are off the clock, they both enjoy fragrance, experts say. “Meghan has previously revealed ‘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,’” says Charlotte Crawley, founder of Mad About Meghan. “I think, like many women, it’s very important to both ladies and an important element of their beauty looks.”
Kate on Her Wedding Day
Catherine Middleton married Prince William on April 29, 2011 wearing White Gardenia Petals by British perfumer Illuminum, according to What Kate Wore founder Susan Kelley. (This was also confirmed by Clarence House at the time.) Not surprisingly, the scent became a bestseller for the small niche brand, notes Kelley. The light floral scent has a hint of coconut, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and lily of the valley, laid on the base of amber wood.
The Duchess is also a fan of Jo Malone London, and at Westminster Abbey she chose to scent the space with candles in the brand’s Orange Blossom scent, Grapefruit scent, and Lime, Basil, and Mandarin scent.
Jo Malone Grapefruit Home Candle
Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Home Candle
Jo Malone Orange Blossom Home Candle
Kate in Everyday Life
According to Kelley, day-to-day Kate loves to wear Jo Malone London’s Orange Blossom, with notes of clementine flower, white lilac, water lily, and orriswood. Kate has also been known to enjoy her other two favorite Jo Malone scents—Grapefruit and Lime, Basil, and Mandarin—in everyday life, not just on her wedding day.
“I’ve seen people on social media who have bumped into Kate when she’s out shopping and have said she smells amazing, like raspberry and fruit—very clean, crisp smells,” adds Kelley. “While there’s no confirmation, I believe that fragrance is probably important to Kate as somebody who clearly pays attention to details, based off of photos from inside Kensington Palace and Anmer Hall [her two residences]. These are very lovely homes and settings, and fragrance is part of the setting for many people. She’s certainly demonstrated that she does pay attention to all sorts of details, so fragrance may well be part of the package.”
Meghan on Her Wedding Day
Floris London Bergamotto di Positano Eau de Parfum
Floris London Bergamotto di Positano Eau de Parfum
Meghan Markle married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018 wearing a custom-made perfume by Queen Elizabeth’s perfumers Floris London, says Susan Courter, founder of What Meghan Wore. This scent was made with sea breeze, sunshine, and water in mind and was inspired by the brand’s Beramotto di Positano perfume, which has notes of bergamot, orange blossom ginger, and green tea. “It’s crisp, clean, and airy,” says Courter.
As with some other Royal fragrances, this scent was created specifically for Meghan and her body chemistry, so finding an exact duplicate may not be possible, notes Meier. (This was not the first time Floris London created a Royal Wedding scent; the perfumer also created a scent for Kate’s wedding named Wedding Bouquet to honor the occasion.)
Additionally, Meghan used Diptyque candles to scent St. George’s Chapel on her wedding day, Courter says; it’s a brand she continues to love, as “we’ve seen Diptyque candles in recent video conferences she’s had, or fresh cut bouquets of flowers in the background of her home,” she says. “I’m sure it smells amazing when you walk into their house.”
Meghan in Everyday Life
Thanks to Meghan’s former career as a blogger for her now defunct lifestyle blog The Tig (where she spoke at length about her beauty preferences) and thanks to a myriad of interviews she gave to the press during her acting career, we have a much clearer picture of Meghan’s fragrance preferences. And, as previously mentioned, Meghan loves beauty products, fragrance in particular.
“The Duchess previously revealed she alternates between a few scents,” says Crawley. “She adores the floral tones of Oribe Côte d’Azur Eau de Parfum and several Jo Malone scents, including Wood Sage and Sea Salt.” Meghan’s favorite fragrances seem to trend towards floral, spicy scents, adds Courter. Oribe’s scent has key notes of Calabrian bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood; Meghan also loves Jo Malone London’s Wild Bluebell, “which is Meghan’s signature daytime scent, according to a past interview,” adds Courter.
At night, Courter says, Meghan wears Bvlgari BLV II, with notes of violet, mandarin orange, star anise, licorice, iris absolute, patchouli blossom, vetiver, benzoin, ambergris, cistus rockrose, and musks. She also loves wearing Dr. Bronner’s Body Wash in both lavender and almond, “alternating between them,” says Courter.
Oribe Côte d'Azur Eau de Parfum
Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne
Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne
Dr. Bronner's 18-In-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap
Dr. Bronner's 18-In-1 Hemp Pure-Castile Soap
Other Members of the Royal Family
The Queen wore White Rose by Floris London on her wedding day and wears Guerlain L’Heure Bleue day-to-day, says Kelley. Diana, on her wedding day, wore Quelques Fleurs by Houbigant Paris, a floral scent with notes of orange blossom, rose, and lily of the valley, Courter says; in everyday life, she was known to wear Penhaligon’s Bluebell, a floral-fresh fragrance. And Sophie, on her wedding day, chose the very modern Romance by Ralph Lauren. “Fragrance can be very much a signature for a person, a really lovely element of their own personal brand,” says Kelley. “It is the exclamation point at the end of the sentence.”
How to Apply Fragrance Like a Royal
Meier shares her best Royal fragrance etiquette tips so you can not only smell like a Duchess, but you can apply fragrance like one, too.
- Spray your perfume on pulse points only, and never on fabric or clothing. “By spraying on pulse points, that is where the warmest exposed parts of the body are, and the fragrance lifts and permeates from the heat,” says Meier.
- Once you spray the fragrance on your skin, don’t rub it in. “The top notes of the fragrance may be ruined,” she says. “[Kate and Meghan] would be taught not to rub wrists together and to let the fragrance air dry on their skin.”
- Put on your fragrance before getting dressed. “Fragrance is not ever sprayed on clothing or fabrics, and it could damage the fabrics,” says Meier.
Rachel Burchfield
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family. She has contributed to publications like Allure, Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Country Living, Elle, Glamour, Glossy, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire, Midwest Living, People, Southern Living, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others, and is the editor of What Meghan Wore, a site dedicated to the Duchess of Sussex’s fashion, lifestyle, and work. Rachel is also the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that examines the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world, and is the host of I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current reads and interviews the authors of them.
FAQs
What is Duchess Kate's favorite perfume? ›
According to Vogue, Kate's signature scent is Jo Malone's Orange Blossom. In fact, she loves it so much that she reportedly even chose to have the citrusy aroma waft through Westminster Abbey on her wedding day to Prince William in 2011.
What perfume does Kate Middleton wear everyday? ›Orange Blossom by Jo Malone
Kate Middleton's favorite perfume is Orange Blossom by Jo Malone. The reason Kate can't wear fragrance when she's carrying out royal duties is out of respect to whoever she's meeting. However, she's often spotted wearing Orange Blossom when she's off duty.
In an interview taken while she was on hit show "Suits", the then-actress said: "I alternate between a few scents. I love Oribe Côte d'Azur Eau de Parfum ($125) and both the Wild Bluebell ($155) and Wood Sage & Sea Salt ($155) Colognes by Jo Malone."
What size is Kate Middleton? › What is Princess Diana's favorite perfume? ›Van Cleef & Arpels First Eau de Toilette.
What perfume does Queen Elizabeth wear? ›Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue, a spicy citrus with a powdery dry down. It's been a classic for the fragrance house ever since the scent was created in 1912.
Princess Diana's signature bluebell aroma is in Meghan Markle's £110 perfume - here's how | Express.co.uk.
What is Marilyn Monroe's favorite perfume? ›Like millions of other women, Monroe was a fan of Chanel No 5. However, in 2002, it was revealed that she also had a secret penchant for Floris Rose Geranium. The eau de toilette was delivered in bulk to her at the Beverly Hills Hotel under a cloak and dagger alias while she filmed Some Like It Hot.
What perfume did the queen wear on her wedding day? ›The Queen. It's thought that the Queen chose White Rose by Floris – a floral blend with spicy carnation – for her wedding day and it's remained close to her heart (and her wrists) ever since.
Does Kate Middleton have a tattoo? ›We're not about to tell you Kate has a constellation of stars up her spine, but she has been partial to semi-permanent inking.
What does Kate Middleton have for breakfast? ›
The 40-year-old is said to start her day with oats, which are heavy in protein, carbs, and fiber, and then follow that with a breakfast drink consisting of nutrient-dense foods, according to hair specialists at Longevita.
What size shoe does Princess Kate wear? ›The Princess of Wales' shoe collection is the envy of many, that's for sure - but did you know she has a nifty fashion hack when it comes to her footwear? She buys her heels in two different sizes, between a 38.5 and a 39 (or a 5.5 and a 6 in British sizing).
What perfume does Prince William wear? ›Prince William, Duke of Cambridge – Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligon's – “originally created for the Duke of Marlborough.” Another plausible choice. Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge – White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum.
What perfume does Julia Roberts wear? ›Lancome has announced a new La Vie Est Belle flanker in celebration of the perfume's 10 year anniversary. The fragrance is represented by Pretty Woman co-star Julia Roberts, who has successfully been the face of the fragrance since its conception.
How much does Princess Kate weight? ›| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Profession | Duchess of Cambridge |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters- 173 cm in meters- 1.73 m in feet inches- 5' 8” |
| Weight (approx.) | in kilograms- 55 kg in pounds- 121 lbs |
Creed actually presented Victoria with a suprisingly heady scent, in 1845, 'Fleurs de Bulgarie', which she wore throughout her illustrious reign: a waltz of Bulgarian rose, musk, ambergris and bergamot (and an updated version is still a bestseller today).
What is Oprah's favorite scent? ›Bijan Classic Fragrance for Women.
What is Cher's favorite perfume? ›Finally, there is the singer's favorite: '90s Couture, a rich floral scent with sandalwood and peach nectar, which Cher describes as "heady". Each bottle is on sale for around EUR 30 at scentbeauty.com.
What soap did Queen Elizabeth use? ›Favourite soap
As per Hello Magazine, Yardley London English Lavender Soap was apparently stocked inside the royal palaces, such was the Queen's love of the fresh smelling product.
Typically, Jo Malone can be an expensive purchase compared to other brands, but everything from the brand is on sale at Sephora for a limited time. Plus, the royal duchesses Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are known to favor this lavish fragrance brand, making it a royal-approved choice.
What is Prince William's favorite cologne? ›
Prince William
Prince William's fragrance of choice is Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligon's, a perfumer with a royal warrant. The perfume was originally created for the Duke of Marlborough. Today, the intricate bottle sells for £115 for 100ml of eau de toilette.
Ingredients including cardamom, olive oil and cinnamon were added to produce the ancient perfumes, which were, in general, much thicker and stickier than the stuff we spritz on today. In turn, the perfumes produced strong, spicy, faintly musky scents that tended to linger longer than modern fragrances.
What is the oldest Guerlain perfume? ›Les Eaux Eau de Cologne Eau Impériale
Created in 1853 by Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, Eau de Cologne Impériale was the very first Eau ...
The Duchess of Sussex inherited some of her late mother-in-law's most stunning pieces. Before her tragic death, Princess Diana made it clear that she wanted her stunning collection of jewelry to go to her sons' future wives.
What was Marie Antoinette's favorite perfume? ›Marie Antoinette never voyaged again without the Trianon essence, to the extent that the perfume was found among her personal belongings when the tragedy at Varennes occurred. Even at the most dramatic points of her life, the Queen remained attached to the magic of the Trianon bouquets.
What was Marilyn Monroe's favorite lipstick? ›What lipstick did Marilyn Monroe wear? Not only did she put Chanel No. 5 on the map, but she also cemented her go-to red pout into pop culture history.
What perfume did Whitney Houston wear? ›Her favorite perfume was called Worth. But of course, with the wardrobe, fragrances like Bvlgari, Givenchy, Annick Goutal—she liked Petite Cherie..She was definitely a champion for aromatherapy, fragrances and her skin feeling soft.
What scent did Freddie Mercury wear? ›In the early 80s there were two standard colognes with him wherever he went, Aramis and Lagerfeld. He did try others occasionally but always reverted back to those. Later, when he was spending more time in Switzerland he discovered L'Eau Dynamisante by Clarins which he wore much of the time.
What was Jackie Onassis favorite perfume? ›Her signature scent
If you were wondering what Jackie smelled like, look no further than luxury French perfume brand, House of Krigler's Lovely Patchouli 55, a leathery scent which housed notes of amber, bergamot, patchouli, and citrus. She wore it daily.
Her majesty's cousin Margaret Rhodes reports that Elizabeth II drinks at least one glass of champagne before bed. The exact brand of her nightly libation is unknown, it's almost certainly one of the eight brands that have been granted royal warrants, including Bollinger, Krug, Lanson, and Pol Roger.
Does Kate Middleton have veneers? ›
2. Teeth whitening. "It's also likely Kate has had teeth whitening, but no bonding or veneers because we can see the shapes are a little irregular, creating a perfectly imperfect balanced smile," shares Dr Rhona.
How do the royals wear heels all day? ›Kate Middleton often stands in heels for hours at a time while making public appearances. So to ensure comfort, etiquette expert Myka Meier says the Princess of Wales uses two tricks. Kate is said to wear John Lewis non-slip tights and Alice Bow insoles to "cushion" her feet.
Does Kate Middleton dye her hair? ›Instead, The Princess of Wales stepped out just yesterday with a newly dyed hair look and we're crowning it (see what I did there) the colour of the season. On 31 January 31, 2023, Kate Middleton travelled to Leeds, Kirkgate Market for a solo trip that coincides with the launch of her new 'Shaping Us' campaign.
What is Kate Middleton's favorite meal? ›Dinner. After a day of mainly plant-based and raw foods, Kate prefers to indulge in a hearty traditional English supper or nourishing carb-dense meals. She often eats roast chicken for dinner, which is Prince William's favourite meal, and is said to enjoy cooking pizza, pasta and baking cakes with their children.
What do Kate usually have for lunch? ›Watermelon salad with avocado, onions, cucumbers, and feta cheese is said to be one of her go-to meals. And although she isn't vegetarian, Kate prefers to eat mostly vegetarian dishes for lunch, with vegetable kebabs and lentil curry being a couple of her favorites.
What does Kate Middleton use on her hair? ›She uses Kérastase's Bain Oleo-Relax Shampoo to nourish and smooth her beautiful locks. The formula targets wavy, curly and coily hair types and those with medium to thick hair. After using this shampoo, your hair should be clean and you shouldn't have to yank your hair when brushing it.
How many inches is so Kate heel? ›What is the heel height of Christian Louboutin So Kate? Differently from what most people think, Christian Louboutin So Kate only come in 120 mm (4.7 Inch) stiletto heels. This with regards to the So Kate pump introduced after Pigalle pumps with a thinner heel.
Why does Kate always carry a clutch? ›Etiquette expert, William Hanson said: "It is protocol that you do not extend your hand to any member of the Royal Family (blood royal or those who have married into the family) unless their hand extends first—hence the reason Kate feels the need to pick a bag that puts both her hands out of commission," he told the ...
Why does Princess Kate wear 3 rings? ›The mother-of-three usually wears three rings on her left hand – alongside her wedding band, she also rocks a sizeable engagement ring which originally belonged to William's late mother, Princess Diana, and a white gold eternity band that was thought to be a generous gift from her husband following the birth of Prince ...
What is Kate Sharma's scent? ›Kate Sharma
Penhaligon's The Revenge of Lady Blanche might be her scent of choice. With fresh florals hyacinth and daffodil, the initial spritz is beautiful before settling into a confident sandalwood and orris base.
What perfume did Kate Middleton wear on her wedding day? ›
Illuminum London White Gardenia Petals Eau de Parfum, £110 for 100ml. According to numerous reports, this is the scent that Kate Middleton, or the Duchess of Cambridge as she's known now, chose to wear on her wedding day.
What Jo Malone perfume does Kate Middleton wear? ›When it comes to her favourite perfume, Kate Middleton is said to be a massive fan of a scent by Jo Malone. Kate loves the Jo Malone Orange Blossom scent so much it featured heavily during her wedding day in 2011.
What fragrance does Julia Roberts wear? ›Lancome has announced a new La Vie Est Belle flanker in celebration of the perfume's 10 year anniversary. The fragrance is represented by Pretty Woman co-star Julia Roberts, who has successfully been the face of the fragrance since its conception.
What is a luxurious scent? ›Two thirds of respondents to Premium Scenting's recent attitudinal study found that leather was the smell they most strongly associate with luxury.
What does Kate Bridgerton smell like? ›What perfume does Kate from bridgerton wear? Penhaligon's The Revenge of Lady Blanche might be her scent of choice. With fresh florals hyacinth and daffodil, the initial spritz is beautiful before settling into a confident sandalwood and orris base.
What is Kate Moss favorite perfume? ›Clarins Eau Dynamisante Spray
A favorite among chic French women, it's brilliant for traveling, holidays, and general pep-ups throughout the day. It's been in Kate's life for a long time: “My mum used to wear it—it's just a go-to smell,” she says.
Creed Fleurissimo was commissioned for American actress Grace Kelly's wedding day. This beautiful floral fragrance is a magnificent blend of Hollywood glamour and royal quality, and was composed to complement the bride's bouquet.
What perfume does Princess of Wales wear? ›What perfume does Catherine, The Princess of Wales wear? I understand that lots of people have asked Kate Middleton what perfume she wears when they've met her, and the answer has always been the same; Jo Malone London Orange Blossom.
What is the best Jo Malone perfume Kate Middleton? ›Jo Malone's English Pear & Freesia Cologne is one of the brand's fan favorites, and its special edition fluted glass bottle on sale makes it even more irresistible. It features a fresh aroma brimmed with fruity and floral scents of a just-ripe pear and white freesias.
What fragrance does Oprah wear? ›Bijan Classic Fragrance for Women.