Growing up, many young girls aspire to be princesses. We can thank Disney for it. However, as we become older, we tend to grow out of that fantasy. While fairytales may no longer attract us in the same way, real-life royals are as interesting as ever. That’s why we’re always looking for ways to include their beauty statements, styles, and smells.
Consider Kate Middleton as an example. Over the years, we’ve been attracted by everything from her blue and white dress and go-to top to her updated infinity engagement ring and spectacular wedding gown. We’re now shifting our attention to her trademark smell. If you want to smell like a royal, keep reading to see what perfume Kate Middleton wears.
Jo Malone London Orange Blossom.
According to numerous sources, Kate’s all-time favourite fragrance is Jo Malone London Orange Blossom cologne. She loves the gentle citrus flavour so much that she requested it as the scent for her wedding in 2011. According to British Vogue, Kate planned for wafts of Orange Blossom candles to perfume the air of Westminster Abbey on her wedding day. (She also used lemony Jo Malone products in the restrooms.)
So, what makes Orange Blossom so special? “Jo Malone’s [Orange Blossom] includes white floral notes of tangerine and orange blossom, grounded by earthy green notes of iris and vetiver,” says perfumer Greta Pagel, Fragrance Director of Good Chemistry and ILLUME.
Doesn’t that sound delightful? If you love the perfume as much as Kate does, you’ll be pleased to hear that it comes in cologne, candle, diffuser, body and hand wash, and body and hand lotion forms.
Illuminum White Gardenia Petals.
According to rumours, Kate also wore Illuminum White Gardenia Petals, a white floral scent that has since been discontinued. “Illuminum London is a triple-take on ethereal white florals: gardenia, lily of the valley, and jasmine, anchored by sheer clean woods,” according to Pagel.
Since this smell is no longer available, Pagel recommends a white floral bouquet scent instead. “If we’re talking royal taste, this preference checks out—these beautiful compositions signal timeless elegance,” she says. Pagel recommends Diptyque and Good Chemistry for sounds that are similar, but not identical.Diptyque’s Do Son is one of her favorites—it’s a powerful white floral composition with an orange blossom note, tuberose, and jasmine,” she says. “Good Chemistry has a handful of beloved perfumes in its range that pay tribute to white blossoms. Tiger Lily is a beautiful beauty with a heart of orange blossom and notes of iris and amber, whilst Solar Jasmine is optimistic and dazzling, with a bouquet of sun-warmed jasmine, orange flower, and peach blossom with a hint of creamy coconut. Irresistible, all of them!”
Meanwhile, Lisa Hipgrave, the head of scent at Diem Scents, recommends No Reason, Lunar Bud, and Liquid Light.
To capture the essence of Kate’s perfume without imitating, look for aromas that make you happy. Fragrances are valued not just for their top, middle, and base notes, but also for their associations with memories.According to Hipgrave, both orange blossom and gardenia are particularly evocative florals that frequently evoke nostalgic recollections of loved ones and childhood. “These days, they are often used in solar floral type fragrances due to their depth and warmth—evoking thoughts of nature—combined with citrus notes to make them truly sparkle.”
