Behind The Palace Doors: The Scents Royals Can’t Resist

For centuries, royals have influenced style and beauty trends, setting the standard for elegance and desirability. With their unparalleled access to global trends, these blue-blooded icons have shaped everything from makeup and hairstyles to body image.

Today, while celebrities, magazines, influencers, and TikTokers spread these ideals, the fascination with royal beauty routines remains timeless. Style icons like Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle captivate us with their impeccable taste, blending tradition with modernity.

Take, for example, the Duchess of Cambridge’s impact on fashion. When she wore a fuchsia Seraphine dress for her first official portrait with Prince William and Prince George, it sold out in just two hours, with the brand reporting a 400% spike in sales. Similarly, Meghan Markle’s choice of Art Deco-inspired emerald earrings by V By Laura Vann turned the accessory into a must-have, inspiring countless imitations.

But beyond their wardrobes lies a deeper intrigue: their signature scents. Perfume, a personal and often unseen element of style, holds the power to define one’s presence. Here’s a look at the favorite fragrances of some iconic royals and how to make them your own.

Kate Middleton: The Princess of Wales

For her fairytale wedding to Prince William in 2011, Kate Middleton chose White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum, a delicate spring fragrance with lily top notes and heart notes of gardenia, jasmine, and ylang-ylang, underscored by amber wood.

The Princess of Wales is also said to favor Dior’s Dune, a soft, oceanic-inspired floral blend featuring lily, peony, amber, and lichen—showcasing her love for gentle, elegant scents.

Queen Elizabeth II: A Century of Grace

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly adored Guerlain L’Heure Bleue, a fragrance dating back to 1912. This classic scent combines top notes of aniseed and bergamot with heart notes of tuberose, violet, rose, and neroli, rounded off with Tonka bean, iris, and vanilla. A blend as timeless and diplomatic as the Queen herself.

Meghan Markle: A Modern Duchess

Meghan Markle has a deep love for fragrance, telling The Express: “If I leave the house without it, I’ll turn back to get it.” Her favorites include Oribe Côte d’Azur Eau de Parfum and Jo Malone’s Wild Bluebell and Wood Sage & Sea Salt colognes, which reflect her modern, sophisticated taste.

Princess Diana: Timeless Elegance

Princess Diana’s former makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, once revealed that Diana never left without wearing fragrance, describing it as “the final touch of beauty.” Her favorites included Penhaligon’s Bluebell, a fresh and fruity blend of citrus notes, Lily of the Valley, jasmine, rose, clove, and cinnamon. Diana also loved Diorissimo, another floral favorite from Dior.

Grace Kelly: Royal Romance in a Bottle

When American actress Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, he commissioned a bespoke perfume for her. The result was Fleurissimo by Creed, a light, feminine blend of tuberose, iris, and violet. The fragrance not only became Grace’s signature scent but was also beloved by First Lady Jackie Kennedy, cementing its legacy as a symbol of timeless romance.

From the fresh florals of Princess Diana to the modern sophistication of Meghan Markle, these iconic scents offer a glimpse into the personal style of royalty. Whether for a special occasion or your everyday signature, these fragrances allow you to channel a touch of royal elegance in your own life.