Smell Like A Princess with Princess Diana’s 5 Favourite Perfumes

Princess Diana was a lot of things to a lot of people from her humanitarian work to her public defiance of a powerful institution to win her independence. She was an icon with impeccable style, what she wore defining the fashion of an era and looked back at with awe 28 years later. The Queen of Hearts reportedly always, always wore perfumes, believing it to be an integral part of her beauty routine. 

Let’s remember Princess Diana on what would’ve been her 64th birthday through the fragrances she loved most: 

Van Cleef & Arpels First Eau de Parfum

Princess Diana’s favourite floral perfume radiated elegance just as she did. Van Cleef & Arpel’s First bears a striking resemblance to Chanel No5 at first but transforms beautifully to a unique fragrance. The aldehydes support the other notes rather than dominating and the dry down feels very musky and powdery. It’s a fragrance that feels very timeless and something you put on with a gorgeous gown and pearls to have afternoon tea in your countryside manor garden. 

Houbigant Paris Quelques Fleurs L’Original

This was allegedly the perfume Princess Diana wore to walk down the aisle on her wedding day when she was just 20. There is a youthful innocence and naivety about this fragrance that aligns with the young woman in the photographs marrying into royalty. Her makeup artist said she spilled a little on her dress when getting ready. I can only imagine how heavenly the florals combined with the green notes felt walking through a grand abbey. The drydown is quite similar to First with the richness of sandalwood and honey and the pleasant bitterness of oakmoss. 

Penhaligon’s Bluebell

She really liked her green florals, but Bluebell is more green and less floral as compared to First and Quelques Fleurs L’Originale. With galbanu, cloves, and cinnamon gives it a spicier profile you don’t get in the others. I get how this was her everyday perfume as it’s quite fresh and vibrant, a good pick-me-up when you have a busy life of a royal hounded by the media. A spritz of Bluebell on a busy day is sure to make you feel like you’re relaxing in a garden damp after rain, the pleasant fragrance of its flowers wafting through the air. 

Hermès 24 Faubourg

While her other fragrances felt like a young girl, this one feels like a confident woman who knows what she wants and won’t let anyone stand in her way. The romantic bouquet of white florals in a base of rich sandalwood, amber and patchouli makes it a head turner fragrance for women who turn heard when they walk by. Definitely something to wear with a black silk dress and pearl choker to humiliate your terrible ex over fumbling a baddie.

Dior Diorissimo

The green soapy sweetness of lily of the valley carries this perfume. It brings about a delicate and lush kind of femininity partnered with creamy sandalwood and animalic civet. It balanced the contradictions of the perfume’s overall green, fresh profile with a background of sensuality and warmth.