Meghan Markle Scented Wedding Venue to Mask

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sought permission from Queen Elizabeth to scent St George's Chapel for their wedding in May 2018. According to a report by One Fab Day, the request was made to mask an unpleasant, musty odour in the 15th-century venue.

Since Kate Middleton fragranced Westminster Abbey for her 2011 wedding, scenting a wedding venue has become a popular trend. Meghan Markle followed this royal precedent, but her situation involved a specific olfactory challenge at Windsor.

How Royal Brides Scent Their Venues

Kate Middleton used products from Jo Malone London to scent Westminster Abbey for her April 2011 wedding. She chose items from the brand's citrus collections: Orange Blossom, Lime, Basil & Mandarin, and Grapefruit. Candles were burned in the Abbey to allow a gentle aroma to permeate the chapel. Hand wash and lotion from the same collections were placed in the royal bathroom and six VIP guest bathrooms.

For Meghan Markle, the process was more complex. Any matters relating to St George's Chapel were within the late Queen's remit. The couple's initial request to use atomisers was reportedly refused as 'inappropriate' for such a significant building. The venue holds enormous significance for the royals, as it is where funerals for many senior members of the Royal Family have been held.

Choosing a Signature Scent

Rather than selecting a British brand with a Royal warrant, Meghan Markle opted for the luxury French brand Diptyque. The brand, which began in Paris in 1961, is famous for its home fragrances and personal scents.

According to royal biographers Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand in their book Finding Freedom, Meghan chose a classic Diptyque diffuser in the scent Baies. This is one of the brand's bestselling fragrances. Its notes include blackcurrant leaves, blackcurrant buds, Bulgarian roses, and ambergris.

The Logistics of Venue Scenting

Meghan specifically requested the Diptyque Hourglass Diffuser, a refillable device designed like an hourglass. The diffuser scents for about an hour before it needs to be turned upside down for another waft of fragrance. It is not known how many of these diffusers were delivered to St George's Chapel, which can hold 800 people. The report speculates that it would have required quite a few devices to fragrance the large, historic space.

The effort highlights the lengths to which couples may go to ensure their wedding venue meets their sensory expectations. The story, as reported, shows a practical solution to a common problem in older buildings. The final detail is the unknown task of turning the hourglass diffusers over every hour during the ceremony.