Princess Diana's favourite perfume, First by Van Cleef and Arpels, has been rediscovered by royal fans following what would have been her 65th birthday on July 1. The floral fragrance, priced at £110 on Amazon, was revealed by Prince Harry in his bestselling memoir Spare.
Prince Harry's Revelation
In his memoir, the Duke of Sussex disclosed that he took a bottle of his mother's perfume to a therapy appointment, hoping it would help him retrieve memories of her. He wrote: "At the start of our session, I lifted the lid, took a deep sniff. I read somewhere that smell is our oldest sense, and that fitted with what I experienced in that moment, images rising from what felt like the most primal part of my brain."
Fragrance Notes
First by Van Cleef and Arpels, introduced in 1976, opens with vibrant notes of blackcurrant, peach and bergamot. It evolves into a luxurious floral heart of jasmine, narcissus, rose and orchid, before transitioning into a comforting base of sandalwood, vanilla, amber and vetiver. The result is an elegant, powdery floral scent that remains popular nearly 50 years after its launch.
Other Royal Scents
Princess Diana was not the only royal associated with a legendary fragrance. Queen Elizabeth II was widely reported to favour White Rose by Floris (£110, Selfridges), a crisp floral scent from the distinguished British perfumer. Catherine, Princess of Wales, reportedly wore Illuminum's White Gardenia Petals (£150) on her wedding day in 2011. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has cited Wild Bluebell by Jo Malone London (from £56) among her preferred fragrances.
Customer Reviews
The perfume has garnered considerable praise. One customer shared: "Absolutely love it, I've worn it for 40 years." Another wrote: "My favourite scent for years." A third remarked: "One of my favourites. Long-lasting. Floral and powdery, but a winner." One delighted reviewer exclaimed: "Everyone tells me that I smell good when I wear this perfume." However, not everyone was satisfied; one reviewer noted: "I'm sorry I wasted the money. Did not smell good at all." A positive review read: "Bought for my mother's 102nd birthday, her favourite perfume that she couldn't find. Not only did they have it, but it was delivered in 24 hours. Very impressed and mum is thrilled."
