King Charles' Signature Scent Fades as Subtle 'Skin Scents' Rise in Popularity

The royal family's love of bold, pungent fragrances is no longer the norm as beauty trends shift toward more intimate, personal scents.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:09pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph shot through condensation or rain-streaked glass, composed of soft, warm pools of color and light that suggest the concept of a person's neck and shoulders, with the faint outline of a fragrance bottle in the background.As the beauty world shifts away from bold, attention-grabbing fragrances, the royal family's signature scents may soon become a relic of the past.Beverly Hills Today

According to Prince Harry's memoir, King Charles is known for liberally applying the strong, floral fragrance Eau Sauvage. However, the tide has turned in the beauty world, with consumers now favoring subtle 'skin scents' that whisper rather than shout. Experts say people want fragrances that feel personal and become part of their identity, rather than overpowering scents that project across a room. This shift away from bold signature scents echoes a similar trend in the 1980s that was short-lived, but is now making a comeback.

Why it matters

The royal family's penchant for powerful fragrances reflects a broader cultural shift in how people approach scent. Whereas once dousing oneself in fragrance was the norm, the beauty industry is now embracing a more intimate, personal approach to perfume. This trend is being driven by the popularity of 'skin scents' that blend with one's natural pheromones, as well as a general fatigue with overpowering, attention-grabbing scents.

The details

While King Charles, Princess Diana, and Queen Camilla all favored bold, statement-making fragrances, the beauty world has moved toward a preference for subtler, skin-hugging scents. Brands like Glossier and Ded Cool have popularized the 'skin scent' trend, which originated in K-beauty and is now gaining traction in the West. Experts say consumers want fragrances that feel personal and become part of their identity, rather than scents that project across a room. This shift echoes a similar trend in the 1980s that was short-lived, but is now making a comeback as people seek out fragrances that are comforting and familiar, with just a touch of intrigue.

  • In the 1980s, there was a brief fashion for heavy, overpowering fragrances that were eventually banned from some Beverly Hills restaurants.
  • In recent years, the beauty industry has seen a rise in the popularity of 'skin scents' that blend with one's natural pheromones.

The players

King Charles

The current King of the United Kingdom, known for his love of the strong, floral fragrance Eau Sauvage.

Princess Diana

The late Princess of Wales, who favored the powerful, heady fragrance First by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Queen Camilla

The current Queen Consort, who reportedly wears the dark, leathery, wood-based fragrance Bandit by Robert Piguet.

Prince Harry

The Duke of Sussex, who wrote about his father King Charles' pungent personal scent in his memoir, Spare.

Glossier

A beauty brand that has popularized the 'skin scent' trend with its iconic fragrance, You.

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What they’re saying

“People want something that feels personal, not performative, a scent that stays close to the skin and becomes part of them. It is less about projection and more about presence.”

— Matthew Berkson, Co-founder of fragrance house Maison Louis Marie

“I think people get tired of really loud perfumes. They can feel a bit much day to day. Now, people want something softer and closer to the skin, still with projection but more personal.”

— Jamie Shuker, Founder of Japanese-inspired fragrance brand Kida Kyo

“Consumers are prioritising comfort, subtlety, and how a scent makes them feel, rather than how far it carries.”

— Karla Woolley, Head of Buying at The Perfume Shop

What’s next

As the beauty industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if the royal family's fragrance preferences also shift toward more subtle, personal scents, or if they maintain their signature bold fragrances.

The takeaway

The rise of 'skin scents' in the beauty world reflects a broader cultural shift away from overpowering, attention-grabbing fragrances and toward more intimate, personal scents that blend with one's natural pheromones. This trend echoes a similar movement in the 1980s, underscoring the cyclical nature of beauty trends and the industry's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences.