Diamond Jubilee Bouquet

Diamond Jubilee Bouquet was made in 2012 to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and it dresses the part: a formal, old-school bouquet in an airy, modern frame. The opening is orange and lemon with lily of the valley and a green, polleny narcissus, sweet at first and a touch chalky before it settles. Iris is the star. Wearers talk about a dry, powdery iris root, backed by violet, rose and the clove-like spice of carnation, with jasmine, heliotrope and a hint of vetiver in small supporting roles. The powder is dry and airy rather than sugary, and some wearers find the rose slightly metallic or the whole thing old-fashioned. Underneath sits a soft base of vanilla, tonka bean, amber and musk, kept restrained so the florals stay in front. Staying power is moderate, with reports ranging from under an hour to most of a day, and the projection is gentle: a quiet cloud that is better enjoyed up close. Reviewers describe it as pretty, controlled and contained. It is at its best in spring and autumn and suits weddings, dinners and dressed-up days rather than the gym. Wearers compare it with L'Heure Bleue and Apres l'Ondee for powdery florals, and some call it a bridal scent while others find it too polite. At GBP 230 for 50 ml it is priced as a luxury perfume, and a common complaint is that staying power and sillage do not match the price.