Everyone wants a piece of the Diana magic. Decades after she left us, we’re still obsessing over her bike shorts, her "revenge dress," and that shy tilt of her head. But there’s one thing you can’t see in the grainy paparazzi photos or the high-def episodes of The Crown: how she smelled.
If you’ve ever wondered what perfume did princess diana wear, you aren't alone. Fragrance is intensely personal. It’s the invisible part of a person's identity. For Diana, it wasn't just a finishing touch; it was a necessity. Her longtime makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, once said the Princess "always, always, always" wore fragrance. She wouldn't dream of leaving the house without a spritz of something floral.
But she didn't just stick to one bottle. Her tastes shifted as she grew from a 19-year-old girl entering the world’s most famous family into a global icon of independence. Honestly, her perfume journey is kind of a roadmap of her life.
The "Wedding of the Century" Scent: Quelques Fleurs
Let’s start with the big one. July 29, 1981. St. Paul’s Cathedral. A 25-foot train.
While the world was staring at the ivory silk taffeta, Diana was secretly dealing with a minor disaster. According to her wedding-day makeup artist, Barbara Daly, Diana accidentally spilled some of her perfume—Houbigant Quelques Fleurs—down the front of her dress while trying to top up her scent before the ceremony. She had to hold her hand over the spot to hide the stain as she walked toward Prince Charles.
Imagine that. The most watched woman in history, walking down the aisle, basically smelling like a literal garden because of a clumsy spill.
Quelques Fleurs (which translates to "some flowers") was a groundbreaking fragrance. Launched in 1912 by the house of Houbigant, it was the first multi-floral bouquet ever created. Before this, perfumes usually smelled like just one flower—like a rose or a lily.
It’s a "busy" scent in the best way possible. It’s got:
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- Top Notes: Bergamot, galbanum, and lemon (very fresh and green).
- Heart Notes: Tuberose, jasmine, lily of the valley, and rose.
- Base Notes: Oakmoss, sandalwood, and a bit of civet for that vintage depth.
If you smell it today, it feels very "royal." It’s grand, sophisticated, and unapologetically feminine. It’s not a modern, sugary scent; it’s the smell of old-world elegance.
Why 24 Faubourg Became Her Power Scent
As Diana moved into the 90s, her style changed. She ditched the ruffles for sleek Versace suits and Dior bags. Her perfume followed suit.
Her former butler, Paul Burrell, noted in his book A Royal Duty that her go-to daily favorite in her later years was 24 Faubourg by Hermès. This fragrance was released in 1995, just two years before her passing, and it’s a powerhouse.
If Quelques Fleurs was the scent of a shy bride, 24 Faubourg was the scent of a woman who knew her worth. It’s warm. It’s sun-drenched. It’s heavy on the orange blossom and jasmine, with a dry-down that feels like expensive vanilla and amber. People often describe it as "sunlight in a bottle." It’s a very "loud" fragrance—the kind that lingers in a room long after you've left it.
The Emotional Connection: Van Cleef & Arpels "First"
This is perhaps the most touching entry in Diana’s collection. In his memoir Spare, Prince Harry wrote about a therapy session where he brought a bottle of his mother’s favorite perfume to help unlock suppressed memories.
That perfume was First by Van Cleef & Arpels.
One whiff of it, and Harry wrote that he felt like his mother was right there in the room. It’s a classic floral aldehyde. If you’ve ever smelled Chanel No. 5, you’ll recognize that "sparkling" quality that aldehydes give. It’s soapy, clean, and incredibly chic.
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It’s got hyacinth, orchid, and amber. It’s the kind of scent that feels "finished." It’s polished. For a woman under constant scrutiny, wearing something as structured as First probably felt like a bit of armor.
The British Classic: Penhaligon’s Bluebell
Not everything she wore was a French powerhouse. Diana also had a soft spot for Penhaligon’s Bluebell.
This is a very different vibe. It’s earthy. It’s wet. It’s meant to smell like a British woodland after a rainstorm. It’s not "perfumy" in the traditional sense; it’s more of a literal interpretation of nature.
Bluebell is quite polarizing because it has a strong hit of clove in the base. You either love that spicy, earthy kick or you hate it. For Diana, it was reportedly her favorite casual, daytime scent. It’s quintessentially British—just like her.
Other Scents She (Likely) Kept on Her Vanity
While the four above are the most "confirmed" by family and staff, fragrance historians and royal watchers often point to a few others:
- Dior Diorissimo: This is the ultimate lily-of-the-valley scent. It’s incredibly light and spring-like. Given Diana’s love for white florals, it’s almost certain she had a bottle of this at some point.
- L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci: Another classic floral with a famous "dove" stopper. It was a staple for many women of her generation and fits her olfactory profile perfectly.
- Mitsouko by Guerlain: There are some rumors she wore this legendary peach-and-oakmoss scent, though it’s less documented than the others.
Can You Still Buy Princess Diana’s Perfumes?
The good news is that Diana had excellent, timeless taste. Almost all of her favorites are still in production today, though some have undergone "reformulations" (where the ingredients are slightly changed to meet modern regulations).
Houbigant Quelques Fleurs is still available at high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus or Liberty London. It’s pricey—usually around $150 to $200—but it’s a piece of history.
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Hermès 24 Faubourg is still a bestseller for the brand. It’s widely available and hasn't changed much since she wore it.
Penhaligon’s Bluebell is still the crown jewel of the Penhaligon’s line. If you want to know what a British spring smells like, this is it.
Van Cleef & Arpels First is also still around, though it’s sometimes harder to find in physical stores compared to the Hermès. You can usually snag it through online fragrance retailers.
How to Wear Perfume Like a Princess
If you want to channel your inner Lady Di, it’s not just about the brand. It’s about the way you wear it.
Mary Greenwell emphasized that for Diana, fragrance was about being "approachable." She didn't want to smell like a cold, distant royal. She wanted to smell like a person.
Tips for your own signature scent:
- Spray your hair: It holds scent longer than skin.
- Don't rub your wrists: It "crushes" the delicate molecules of the perfume. Just spray and let it air dry.
- Layer your scent: Diana often used the matching body lotions to make the fragrance last through long royal engagements.
- Choose florals: If you want that specific Diana "vibe," look for notes of jasmine, lily of the valley, and tuberose.
Honestly, the most "Diana" thing you can do is find a scent that makes you feel confident. Whether that's a $200 French perfume or a $20 body mist, she was all about using beauty to feel empowered.
Ready to find your own royal scent?
Start by ordering a few samples of the ones mentioned here. Fragrance smells different on everyone because of your skin's unique chemistry. What smelled like a sunny garden on Diana might smell totally different on you—and that’s the beauty of it.
Go to a department store and spray 24 Faubourg on one wrist and Bluebell on the other. Walk around for an hour. See how they "settle." You'll know pretty quickly which one feels like you.