Fancy some grand perfumes suitable to scent a magnificent occasion? With a truly beloved royal ceremony taking place this coming weekend, we felt it was time to unfurl the bunting and fly the flag for fragrances that make any occasion feel extra special…
Every year, as the second Saturday of June arrives, London transforms into a stage of unparalleled pageantry. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers, 200 horses, and 400 musicians converge upon Horse Guards Parade in a spectacular display that has marked the Sovereign’s official birthday since 1748. The ceremony of Trooping the Colour stands as one of Britain’s most magnificent traditions, where precision, heritage, and grandeur unite in a symphony of scarlet tunics, gleaming brass, and thundering hooves.
Just as this annual celebration captures the very essence of royal splendour, here are some fragrances we feel bottle the spirit of excitement, colour and a dash of British eccentricity in olfactory form. Together, they curate a fragrant anthology of British style, each chapter written in a different olfactory hand yet all celebrating the same magnificent tradition that continues to captivate the world…
Thameen Fanfare draws inspiration from the vibrant flower market at Covent Garden, embodying what perfumer Bruno Jovanovic describes as ‘contemporary British aesthetic’ with ‘a touch of impertinence.’ This gorgeously fresh yet floral-filled Cologne elixir billows for hours, representing the spirit of modern Britain – sophisticated yet playful, traditional yet daring.
Currently £175 for 100ml Cologne Elixir harrods.com
Atkinsons British Bouquet pays homage to Beau Brummell, the original dandy who pioneered the three-piece suit and defined sartorial elegance. It captures the essence of British refinement and the art of impeccable grooming that has defined British style for centuries, via citrusy top notes of bitter orange and caviar lemon with a heart of lavender, myrtle, and malt, and a base of leather and amber accords.
Currently £106 for 100ml eau de toilette hogiesonline.co.uk
Penhaligon’s The Inimitable William Penhaligon celebrates the founder himself – a humble Cornish barber who ascended to serve royalty and built one of Britain’s most prestigious perfume houses. This woody composition with bergamot, incense, and Haitian vetiver represents the entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship that built British luxury.
£245 for 75ml eau de parfum penhaligons.com
Floris Mulberry Fig takes inspiration from St. James’s Park, one of London’s oldest Royal Parks, just steps from the brand’s historic Jermyn Street premises. This floral amber creation captures the tranquil grandeur of royal gardens, where fig trees tower over peaceful lakes amidst some of Britain’s most famous landmarks.
£180 for 100ml eau de parfum florislondon.com
Jack Perfumes JACK represents the wit and irreverent charm of its creator, actor Richard E. Grant, who describes it as his ‘signature in scent’. This addictive blend of lime, marijuana leaves, mandarin, and vetiver embody that particularly British ability to be both utterly charming and cheekily subversive (much like Mr. Grant himself!)
£95 for 100ml eau de parfum jackperfume.co.uk
As the final notes of the Trooping the Colour ceremony fade and the crowds disperse, these five fragrances remain as lasting tributes to pomp and ceremony in liquid form – whether through Thameen’s literal fanfare, Atkinsons’ heritage craftsmanship, Penhaligon’s intimate portraiture, Floris’s garden party elegance, or Jack’s irreverent charm. In wearing any of these remarkable creations, we can carry a piece of that ceremonial splendour in fragrant form – to any occasion befitting of such scented celebrations (be that a wedding, a grand dinner, or simply to the supermarket if we feel like it!)
Written by Suzy Nightingale