20 Classic Fragrances That Include Kate Middleton's Favorite Flower

Slightly sweet and softly floral, lily of the valley has been a mainstay fragrance note for decades. A favorite scent of Christian Dior, it gained popularity in the 1950s thanks to the house’s Diorissimo scent. Today, notes of the flower can still be detected in several Dior’s most-loved fragrances (some of which are among the most popular perfumes of all time).

Like many trends first set by Christian Dior, the floral scent’s popularity endures to this day. "[Lily of the Valley] evokes a day of simple pleasure, much like the first warm spring day,” says Steve Mormoris, CEO and founder of Scent Beauty.

What Does Lily of the Valley Smell Like?

Not to be confused with the standard lily, it grows in the springtime in white bell-shaped buds along a long, green stalk. "Lily of the valley, or muguet in French, has a lilting, sweet scent imbued with dew that is alternately sweet and green,” explains Mormoris. "It has a strong association with the emergence of spring and with new beginnings. It is remarkably feminine in character and has an enduring classicism without being old-fashioned.” (Fun fact: Kate Middleton had lily of the valley in her wedding bouquet for her wedding to Prince William.)

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

Kate Middleton with her lily of the valley wedding bouquet in April 2011.

What Scents Go With Lily of the Valley?

Often found as a base note in floral fragrances, lily of the valley plays well with woody notes like sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver, as well as green notes such as herbs and foliage. According to Mormoris, these pairings "accentuate its sweetness without being cloying.”

Intrigued? We don’t blame you. Here, we searched high and low for 22 of the best lily of the valley fragrances to help you find your perfect scent for this season and beyond.

1. Dior Diorissimo Eau de Parfum

2. Chloé Eau de Parfum Spray

3. Maison Margiela Replica Lazy Sunday Morning

4. Dior Addict Eau Fraîche

5. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist

6. Philosophy Falling in Love

7. Kate Spade New York Walk on Air

8. Yves Saint Laurent Opium

9. Kilian Vodka on the Rocks

10. Byredo Inflorescence

11. Bond No. 9 New York Scent of Peace

12. Esscentials Spring! Fragrance Mist

13. Bulgari Rose Goldea Blossom Delight

14. Miu Miu L'Eau Bleue

15. Aerin Mediterranean Honeysuckle

16. Jo Malone Wild Bluebell Cologne

17. Acqua Di Parma Colonia Essenza

18. Dior Miss Dior

19. The 7 Virtues Blackberry Lily

20. Penhaligon's Lily of the Valley

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Freelance Contributor

Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.