When you think of Princess Diana, you probably picture the sweeping taffeta gowns, the sapphire engagement ring, or that shy, tilted-head smile. But for those who actually stood next to her, the memory isn't just a visual one. It's a smell.
Diana didn’t just like perfume; she lived in it. Her makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, famously said the Princess always wore fragrance. It was her "final touch of beauty." But if you’re looking for just one bottle, you’re gonna be disappointed. She didn't have a single signature scent. She had chapters.
The Wedding Day Disaster: Quelques Fleurs
Let’s start with the big one. On July 29, 1981, as Diana Spencer was getting ready to walk down the aisle at St. Paul’s Cathedral, she did something incredibly human. She spilled her perfume.
She was trying to top off her scent—Houbigant Quelques Fleurs—and accidentally doused a part of her massive Emanuel wedding dress. Her makeup artist, Barbara Daly, later revealed they had to tuck the front of the skirt in a specific way just to hide the damp spot. If you look at the old photos of her at the altar, you can actually see her hand hovering over that spot.
So, what does the "wedding perfume" actually smell like? It’s a powerhouse. Created in 1912, it was the first multi-floral bouquet ever made. Before this, most people just smelled like a single rose or a sprig of lavender. Quelques Fleurs is a massive blend of tuberose, jasmine, lily of the valley, and rose. It’s dense. It’s romantic. Honestly, it’s exactly what you’d expect a 20-year-old future queen to pick for a fairytale wedding.
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The Heartbreak Scent: First by Van Cleef & Arpels
If Quelques Fleurs was the beginning, First by Van Cleef & Arpels was the soul of her collection. This is the one that hits different because of Prince Harry.
In his memoir Spare, Harry writes about a therapy session where he brought a bottle of his mother's favorite perfume to help trigger memories. He opened the cap, took a deep breath, and felt like he was back in the room with her. That perfume was First.
It’s a "clean" floral, but it’s got teeth. It’s got hyacinth, jasmine, and amber. It smells like the 1980s in the best way possible—polished, expensive, and a little bit untouchable. It was the first fragrance ever created by a jeweler, which feels pretty poetic for a woman who owned some of the most famous gems on the planet.
The Post-Divorce Power Move: Hermès 24 Faubourg
By the mid-90s, Diana’s style had shifted. The ruffles were gone, replaced by sleek Versace suits and "Revenge Dresses." Her scent changed, too.
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According to her former butler, Paul Burrell, her go-to toward the end of her life was Hermès 24 Faubourg. If you’ve ever smelled this, you know it’s not for the faint of heart. It was launched in 1995, just a couple of years before she passed away.
It’s an explosion of white flowers—orange blossom and jasmine—wrapped in warm vanilla and amber. It’s the smell of a woman who has found her voice and isn't afraid to take up space in a room. While her earlier scents were soft and "English garden," 24 Faubourg is sun-drenched and sophisticated. It smells like luxury.
The Casual Favorite: Penhaligon’s Bluebell
Even a princess needs a "jeans and a t-shirt" scent. For Diana, that was reportedly Penhaligon’s Bluebell.
This one is weirdly polarizing. Some people love it because it smells exactly like a damp British forest in the spring. Others think it’s a bit too sharp. It’s very green, very earthy, and has a hit of clove that gives it a bit of a spicy kick. It’s the most "British" of her favorites, capturing that specific smell of bluebells under ancient oak trees.
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Why Diana's Perfumes Still Sell Out
You can actually still buy every single one of these today.
- Houbigant Quelques Fleurs: Still around, though it’s been reformulated a bit over the decades. It’s still a "special occasion" scent.
- First by Van Cleef & Arpels: Easy to find at most high-end department stores. It remains a classic for people who love that "soapy-clean" luxury vibe.
- Hermès 24 Faubourg: Still a bestseller for Hermès. It’s probably the most "modern" feeling of the bunch.
- Penhaligon’s Bluebell: Still the flagship of the Penhaligon’s line, often cited as a favorite of other royals, too.
How to Choose Your Own "Diana" Scent
If you want to channel the Princess through your fragrance, you have to decide which "Diana" you’re feeling today.
If you're feeling romantic and a bit traditional, go for the Quelques Fleurs. It’s basically a wedding in a bottle. If you want something that feels like a warm hug and a bit of history, First is the one. But if you’re heading into a high-stakes meeting and need to feel like you own the place? Spritz on some 24 Faubourg.
Just remember: whatever you pick, wear it like she did. Diana didn't just dab it on her wrists; she made it part of her identity.
Next Steps for Your Fragrance Journey:
Check out a local luxury fragrance counter and ask for samples of these three specifically: First, 24 Faubourg, and Quelques Fleurs. Wear each one for a full day before deciding. Fragrance reacts with your skin chemistry, so what smelled like a royal garden on Diana might smell totally different on you—and that’s exactly how she would have wanted it.