Penhaligon’s limited edition perfume is fit for a queen

A royal edition lily of the valley flacon honours Queen Elizabeth II’s Sapphire Jubilee

In 1976, the very first bottles of Penhaligon’s Lily of the Valley scent were released – and in honour of Her Majesty’s Sapphire Jubilee year, the perfumer (and holder of two Royal Warrants) has created a limited edition crystal bottle (£650) version containing 225ml of the iconic perfume. Just 65 have been produced to mark each year since the Queen’s accession to the throne in 1952, and a percentage of the proceeds from this collectors’ item will go towards QEST, the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which raises funds for the education of talented and aspiring craftspeople.

The perfume bottle has been designed with niche lead crystal manufacturer Silver Tree Crystal in Dorset, and the bows are hand-embroidered with the limited edition number. The scent itself captures an interpretation of the flowers’ short bloom in May. Top notes of citrus and bergamot give way to a rose, ylang ylang, jasmine and – naturally – lily of the valley heart, while the base notes of sandalwood and oakmoss strengthen the composition, giving it staying power. Very much like the Queen herself.