Queen Victoria ruled Britain for over 60 years, from 1837 until her death in 1901. During her long reign, perfume became an important part of Victoria’s public image and personal rituals. But what exactly did Queen Victoria wear for scent? Let’s take a look at Victoria’s favorite perfumes and fragrances.
Victoria’s Early Perfume Choices
In Victoria’s early years as queen, she wore simple floral scents like rose, jasmine, orange blossom, and stephanotis. These reflected the light, natural perfumes that were popular at the time. As a young queen, Victoria also favored cologne water, a crisp citrus fragrance made with essential oils.
Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840 influenced her perfume tastes. Albert preferred more delicate scents, so Victoria switched to gentle floral fragrances like violet. She also started wearing Eau de Cologne more frequently, as it was Albert’s signature scent.
Victoria Embraces Musk and Civet
After Albert’s death in 1861, Victoria retreated from public life for many years. When she reemerged, fashions had changed. Perfumes were stronger and more exotic, frequently containing animalic notes like musk and civet.
Eager to revamp her image, Victoria began wearing perfumes with powerful musk and civet accords. These richer scents projected a bold, confident aura that appealed to Victoria as an aging widow and matriarch. Her favorite perfume from this period was Frangipani by perfumer Eugene Rimmel. Its sensual floral blend was given depth and mystery with musk and civet.
Joy and Bouquet de Catherine
In Victoria’s later years, she favored two perfumes created specifically for her:
Joy Perfume
This bespoke fragrance was blended by Houbigant perfumer A. B. Fleming in 1884. It contained rose, jasmine, tuberose, and orange blossom enriched with musk and civet. Joy was inspired by Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and evoked the feeling of triumph and happiness.
Bouquet de Catherine
Legendary perfumer Eugene Rimmel created this fragrance for Victoria’s 50th wedding anniversary in 1890. It honored both Victoria and Prince Albert with their respective birth flowers:
- Lily of the valley (Victoria’s birth flower)
- Orange blossom (Albert’s birth flower)
Musk and civet provided richness to the floral accord. Bouquet de Catherine became one of Victoria’s signatures.
Victoria’s Favorite Perfume Notes
While Victoria’s perfumes changed over time, she consistently favored a few signature notes:
| Note | Description |
|---|---|
| Orange Blossom | Fresh, sweet citrus floral prized for its delicate beauty |
| Rose | Quintessential romantic floral scent, available from delicate to rich |
| Jasmine | Sweet, sensual white floral with rich intensity |
| Musk | Potent, skin-like animalic note that provides depth and sensuality |
| Civet | Thick, musky animalic note derived from civet cats, imparts depth and mystery |
Victoria clustered these notes in different formulations over time, but their lush sensuality consistently shone through. Even the lighter cologne waters of her youth contained hints of musk for a carnal edge.
How Victoria Wore Perfume
Victoria was devoted to fragrance and surrounded herself with scent. She famously carried a flask of concentrated perfume on her dresser and dabbed it frequently.
Victoria also washed her handkerchiefs in heavy musk and floral oils, leaving a lingering aura. Custom perfumes were blended for Victoria in a range of formulas:
- Concentrated parfum extraits to be dabbed from a flask
- Lighter eau de toilettes for daytime
- Scented creams and powders
- Rose-scented soaps
This way, Victoria was constantly enveloped in her trademark rich, floral musk. The royal laundry was even rinsed in her custom Bouquet de Catherine to scent her wardrobe.
Victoria’s Perfume Legacy
Queen Victoria’s 64-year reign had an enormous influence on fashion and culture. Her preferences shaped perfume trends of the era.
Thanks to Victoria, perfume became stronger and more sensual. Musk and civet replaced the lighter citrus colognes of the past. Rich white florals like jasmine and tuberose entered the perfumer’s palette. These loud, tenacious fragrances announced a new bourgeois femininity and confidence.
Today, we can still smell Victoria’s influence in perfumery. Floral chypres with musk are among the most popular perfume styles, from classics like Chanel No. 5 to modern blockbusters like Lancôme La Vie Est Belle. Victoria may be gone, but her potent floral brews live on.
Conclusion
Queen Victoria wore a range of beautiful perfumes that evolved over her lifetime. As a young queen, she favored delicate florals and eau de cologne. After Prince Albert’s death, Victoria embraced more powerful animalic scents containing musk and civet. Her favorite bespoke perfumes were rich, tenacious florals like Joy and Bouquet de Catherine.
Victoria used scent lavishly, dabbing parfum extraits, scented creams, and washing her clothes in custom fragrances. Her preferences helped shape modern perfumery and make scent an essential part of feminine identity. Victoria left a remarkable royal legacy, and the perfume trail she left still lingers today.