Prince Harry has written more about scent than any other member of the royal family. In his 2023 memoir Spare, he describes the perfume his mother wore and the cologne his father splashed on every day, and he explains how smell helped him reconnect with memories he had buried. Yet when it comes to his own cologne, the Duke of Sussex has kept quiet.
Here is what is reported. Harry has long been linked to Davidoff Cool Water, the fresh aquatic classic from 1988, which British media described as his choice in his younger years. More recent rumours suggest he has moved to Terre d’Hermès, an earthy citrus-and-woods fragrance. Neither has been confirmed by Harry, and the scent he wore at his 2018 wedding has never been made public.
Because Harry’s own story about fragrance is so tied to memory and to the two halves of his life, the British royal years and his new life in California, we have built this guide around a “then and now” lens. First we look at the scent memories he shared in Spare. Then we compare the fragrance linked to Harry’s British years with the one rumoured for his California chapter, and finally we show how to use either one, and scent memory itself, in your own life.
Key Takeaways
- Not confirmed: Prince Harry has never publicly named his own cologne.
- Reported in his British years: Davidoff Cool Water, the fresh aquatic classic from 1988.
- Rumoured more recently: Terre d’Hermès, an earthy citrus, vetiver and cedar fragrance from 2006.
- Documented in Spare: his mother’s First by Van Cleef & Arpels and his father’s Dior Eau Sauvage.
- Wedding mystery: his 2018 wedding-day cologne has never been revealed.
- Style lesson: light and fresh for active days, earthy and refined for evenings.
Part One: The Scent Memories in Spare
His mother’s perfume: First by Van Cleef & Arpels
One of the most moving passages in Spare describes Harry smelling his mother’s perfume years after her death in 1997. He names the fragrance as First by Van Cleef & Arpels, a bright, sparkling floral launched in the 1970s, and explains how the scent helped him access memories and emotions during therapy. It is a powerful example of how closely smell is tied to memory, something scientists have studied for decades.
For the full story of Diana’s fragrances, read our guide to what perfume Princess Diana wore, and to understand the science, see how perfumes trigger nostalgic memories.
His father’s cologne: Dior Eau Sauvage
Harry also writes about his father’s habit of sniffing everything, from food to roses to his sons’ hair, and about the cologne King Charles applied generously each day. He identifies it as Eau Sauvage, Dior’s classic citrus-aromatic from 1966, describing it as flowery with a sharp, peppery edge. The detail was widely reported, including by HELLO! Magazine, and it remains one of the best-documented royal fragrance facts.
What these memories tell us about Harry
Harry did not just mention these scents in passing. He used them to describe people and moments that shaped him. That suggests someone who is unusually aware of the emotional power of fragrance, which makes the question of his own cologne all the more intriguing.
Part Two: Then, the British Years and Davidoff Cool Water
According to a royal fragrance round-up in the News Letter, which cites Yahoo Lifestyle, Harry is more of a “typical bloke” than his relatives when it comes to fragrance, and has worn Davidoff Cool Water in the past. Other celebrity sites have repeated the claim, though none has a direct quote from Harry.
The story of Cool Water
Cool Water was launched by Davidoff in 1988 and created by perfumer Pierre Bourdon. It became one of the defining men’s fragrances of the late 1980s and 1990s and helped popularise the fresh “aquatic” style that still dominates men’s counters today.
What it smells like
- Opening: cool mint, lavender and a splash of marine freshness.
- Heart: aromatic herbs and soft florals.
- Base: sandalwood, musk and a touch of amber.
- Overall: crisp, clean, sporty and very easy to wear.
Why it fits the young Harry
- It is accessible and unpretentious rather than aristocratic.
- It suits an outdoorsy, sporty lifestyle, from polo matches to Army training.
- It was hugely popular with young British men during his teens and twenties.
- It reflects Harry’s image at the time: the approachable, fun-loving royal.
If you want to explore the house further, our guide to the best Davidoff colognes covers Cool Water and its many flankers. For similar fresh scents, see our list of aquatic perfumes.
Part Three: Now, the California Years and Terre d’Hermès
The same News Letter report notes rumours that Harry has since switched to Terre d’Hermès. Again, this is unconfirmed, but it is an intriguing choice if true.
The story of Terre d’Hermès
Terre d’Hermès was launched in 2006 and created by Jean-Claude Ellena, then the in-house perfumer at Hermès. It quickly became a modern classic and is often recommended as one of the most sophisticated mainstream men’s fragrances.
What it smells like
- Opening: bright orange and grapefruit with a peppery sparkle.
- Heart: mineral, flinty notes that suggest sun-warmed stone.
- Base: vetiver, cedar and a soft resinous warmth from benzoin.
- Overall: earthy, grounded, elegant and grown-up.
Why it would fit Harry now
- Its sun-baked, earthy character suits life in southern California.
- It feels more mature and reflective than a sporty aquatic.
- It is refined without being stuffy, which matches Harry’s relaxed but polished public style today.
- The name, which means “Earth”, echoes his work on conservation and the natural world.
To understand the vetiver at its heart, read what vetiver smells like.
Then vs Now: Cool Water and Terre d’Hermès Compared
| Feature | Then: Davidoff Cool Water | Now: Terre d’Hermès (rumoured) |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 1988 | 2006 |
| Perfumer | Pierre Bourdon | Jean-Claude Ellena |
| Family | Aquatic aromatic | Woody citrus, mineral |
| Mood | Fresh, sporty, youthful | Earthy, refined, mature |
| Best season | Spring and summer | All year, especially autumn |
| Best setting | Casual days, sport, beach | Work, dinners, travel |
| Price level | Affordable | Luxury designer |
| Evidence | Reported | Rumoured |
What the Shift Says About Harry
If the rumours are right, the move from Cool Water to Terre d’Hermès mirrors the arc of Harry’s life.
- From boy to man. Cool Water is the fragrance of youth; Terre d’Hermès is the fragrance of a man who knows who he is.
- From Britain to California. A cool, misty aquatic gives way to something warm, sunny and earthy.
- From uniform to choice. Harry’s early life was defined by royal duty and the Army. His later life is defined by personal decisions. A deliberate, sophisticated fragrance fits that change.
It is a neat narrative, but remember that it is built on rumours. Harry may wear either, both or neither. What we can say is that both fragrances are excellent choices for anyone who admires his style.
Two Fragrance Families, Explained
Harry’s two reported scents come from different families. Understanding them helps you choose between them, or find alternatives.
The aquatic family
Aquatic fragrances aim to capture the smell of fresh water, sea air and clean skin. They became hugely popular in the late 1980s and 1990s, with Cool Water among the pioneers. They are bright, energetic and easy to wear, but often fade faster than heavier styles. Explore our guides to aquatic perfumes and marine fragrances.
The woody-mineral family
Woody-mineral fragrances blend citrus and woods with dry, flinty notes that suggest stone, earth or sun-warmed rock. Terre d’Hermès is the best-known example. They feel more grounded and grown-up, and they usually last longer. If you like the earthy side, our guide to herbal fragrances and our article on what cypress smells like are good next steps.
Mapping Scent to Harry’s Life Chapters
Harry’s public life has had several distinct chapters. Here is a playful look at how fragrance styles might match each one. These pairings are our own interpretation, not things Harry has said.
| Chapter | Setting | Fitting fragrance style |
|---|---|---|
| School years | Eton, sport, friends | Simple fresh aquatics |
| Army service | Training, deployments | Barely any scent; clean soap |
| Young working royal | Polo, tours, charity events | Cool Water and fresh classics |
| Invictus Games founder | Stadiums, travel, meetings | Versatile citrus-woody scents |
| California life | Sunshine, family, new ventures | Earthy woods like Terre d’Hermès |
Wearing Fragrance in a Warm, Sunny Climate
Since 2020, Harry has lived in southern California, where sunshine and dry heat are the norm. If you live somewhere similar, a few rules help:
- Apply less. Heat makes fragrance project more strongly.
- Choose citrus and woods over sweet gourmands. Sweet scents can turn cloying in the sun.
- Spray under clothes. This protects fragrance from direct sun and slows evaporation.
- Keep bottles indoors and cool. Heat damages perfume. See how to tell if perfume has gone off.
- Browse warm-weather picks in our summer perfumes guide.
Common Mistakes With Harry’s Reported Scents
- Overspraying Cool Water. Because it is light, people often use too much. Its fresh notes can turn sharp in excess.
- Buying the wrong flanker. Cool Water has dozens of versions. Check the label carefully.
- Expecting Terre d’Hermès to be sweet. It is dry and earthy. If you love sweet scents, test first.
- Judging on paper. Mineral and woody notes behave differently on skin. Read our guide on finding the right perfume for your body chemistry.
The Wedding Day Mystery
When Harry married Meghan Markle at Windsor in May 2018, the world analysed every detail of the day. Meghan’s fragrance has been widely discussed: PEOPLE reported that the London house Floris was commissioned to create a special scent for her. Harry’s cologne, by contrast, has never been revealed, and fan sites describe it as a closely guarded secret. Read more about Meghan’s scents in our guide to what perfume Meghan Markle wears.
For grooms who want something meaningful on their own big day, our edit of wedding day perfumes has plenty of ideas.
What Do People Say Harry Smells Like?
There are very few first-hand accounts. One charming example comes from an Australian royal fan, Daphne Dunne, who hugged Harry during a royal tour. When a Channel Nine reporter asked what he smelled like, she reportedly described him as smelling nice and “mannish”. It is hardly a fragrance review, but it fits the clean, masculine profile of both Cool Water and Terre d’Hermès.
How to Wear a Harry-Inspired Scent
If you choose Cool Water
- Wear it on warm days, at the beach or after sport.
- Two to three sprays is fine; it is light and fresh.
- Reapply in the afternoon if needed, as aquatic scents fade faster.
- Pair it with casual clothes: polo shirts, linen and trainers.
If you choose Terre d’Hermès
- Wear it to work, dinners and on travel days.
- Two sprays is enough; it is more concentrated in character.
- It works all year but shines in autumn.
- Pair it with chinos, knitwear and a well-cut jacket.
For application basics, see how to apply cologne and where to spray perfume.
Using Scent Memory in Your Own Life
Harry’s memoir is a reminder that fragrance is more than grooming. It can hold memories of people and places for decades. You can use that power deliberately.
- Mark life chapters with a scent. Wear a new fragrance on a big trip, a new job or a wedding. Years later, it will bring the moment back.
- Keep a bottle of a loved one’s fragrance. Many people find comfort in the scent of someone they miss. Store it carefully, away from light and heat.
- Spray a little on letters or photos. A gentle way to attach a smell to a memory.
- Be mindful. Scent memories can be bittersweet. If a fragrance brings up difficult feelings, it is okay to put it away.
We explore the psychology of smell further in our guide to aromachology, and the science of how we detect scent in how the nose smells perfume.
Brothers Compared: Harry vs William
Royal fans often compare the two princes, and their reported fragrances follow their different personalities.
| Feature | Prince Harry | Prince William |
|---|---|---|
| Most reported scent | Davidoff Cool Water | Penhaligon’s Blenheim Bouquet |
| Rumoured later scent | Terre d’Hermès | Ralph Lauren Polo (also reported) |
| Style | Accessible, sporty, then earthy | Heritage, crisp, traditional |
| Origin of brands | Swiss and French | British and American |
| Evidence | Reported and rumoured | Widely reported, unconfirmed |
Read more in our guide to what cologne Prince William wears.
The Invictus Spirit: Fragrance for an Active Life
Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans. Sport and resilience have long been part of his public identity. If you live an active life too, a few fragrance habits make a difference:
- Shower before you spray. Fragrance on sweaty skin rarely smells good.
- Use light scents for daytime activity. Aquatics like Cool Water feel natural after exercise.
- Save richer scents for evenings. Woody fragrances like Terre d’Hermès shine at dinner.
- Keep a deodorant and a cologne that do not clash. Unscented or lightly scented deodorant is the safest base.
Is Cool Water Still Worth Buying?
Reasons to buy
- It is affordable and widely available.
- It is a genuine classic with a place in fragrance history.
- It is easy to wear and suits warm weather.
Reasons to think twice
- It is very common, so it will not feel unique.
- Its style is strongly associated with the 1990s, which some see as dated and others as nostalgic.
- Longevity is moderate, so you may need to reapply.
For many men, Cool Water is still a smart, inexpensive summer staple. If you want something more modern in the same spirit, explore our guide to affordable men’s fragrances.
Similar Fragrances Worth Trying
If you like the idea of Harry’s reported scents but want alternatives, try these directions:
- For a Cool Water mood: other fresh aquatic and marine fragrances. See our list of marine fragrances.
- For a Terre d’Hermès mood: citrus-vetiver and earthy woody scents. Browse our autumn fragrances guide.
- For a budget pick: our list of cheap fragrances for men includes several fresh aquatics.
- For something British: heritage houses in our guide to the best British perfumes.
Buying Tips
- Cool Water has many flankers. Make sure you are buying the original men’s eau de toilette if that is what you want.
- Terre d’Hermès comes in several concentrations, including eau de toilette and parfum, which smell noticeably different. Sample before buying.
- Both are heavily counterfeited. Follow our guide on how to spot fake perfume.
- Explore the official ranges at hermes.com and through authorised Davidoff retailers.
A Gift With a Story
For a royal watcher or a man who appreciates classic style, either fragrance makes a thoughtful gift. Cool Water is affordable and crowd-pleasing; Terre d’Hermès is a refined, grown-up luxury. Add a note about the royal connection, and be honest that it is reported rather than confirmed. For more gift ideas, see the best perfumes for men or browse the Giftexo shop.
Closing Chapter
Prince Harry has written beautifully about the fragrances of his parents, but he has never named his own. The best-supported report links him to Davidoff Cool Water, the fresh aquatic of his British youth, while newer rumours point to the earthy elegance of Terre d’Hermès for his California chapter. Together they tell a story of change, from a sporty young royal to a man building his own life. Choose the one that matches your mood, and remember the lesson from Spare: the scent you wear today may become a memory someone holds onto for years.
For more royal fragrance stories, read what cologne Prince William wears, Kate Middleton’s perfume and Queen Camilla’s fragrance.
A Short Guide to the Two Houses
Davidoff
Davidoff takes its name from Zino Davidoff, the Swiss tobacconist famous for luxury cigars. The brand expanded into lifestyle products, and its fragrance line became best known for Cool Water. Today Davidoff fragrances are widely available and sensibly priced, which makes them popular first colognes for young men around the world. Explore the range in our guide to the best Davidoff colognes.
Hermès
Hermès began in Paris as a harness and saddle maker before becoming one of the world’s most prestigious luxury houses. Its fragrances are known for elegance and restraint, often built by in-house perfumers with a light, transparent touch. Terre d’Hermès is its most famous men’s scent and is often recommended as a sophisticated signature for men who want to smell polished without trying too hard. For other famous French houses, see our guide to French perfume brands.
The contrast between the two houses, one accessible and sporty, the other refined and artisanal, mirrors the “then and now” story of Harry’s reported fragrances.
A final note on accuracy: everything about Harry’s own cologne comes from media reports and rumour rather than from the Duke himself. His memoir confirms his parents’ fragrances, not his own. We will update this guide if Harry ever names his cologne in an interview or future book. Until then, Cool Water and Terre d’Hermès are the best-supported answers, and both are excellent fragrances in their own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cologne does Prince Harry wear?
Harry has not confirmed his cologne. He has been reported to wear Davidoff Cool Water in the past, and more recent rumours suggest Terre d’Hermès.
What perfume did Princess Diana wear according to Prince Harry?
In Spare, Harry names his mother’s perfume as First by Van Cleef & Arpels and describes how smelling it helped him process his grief.
What cologne does King Charles wear according to Prince Harry?
Harry writes that his father wore Dior Eau Sauvage and applied it generously every day.
What does Davidoff Cool Water smell like?
Cool Water is a fresh aquatic fragrance with mint, lavender and marine notes over sandalwood, musk and amber.
What does Terre d’Hermès smell like?
Terre d’Hermès combines orange and grapefruit with pepper, flinty mineral notes, vetiver, cedar and benzoin. It is earthy and refined.
What cologne did Prince Harry wear at his wedding?
His wedding-day cologne has never been revealed. Meghan’s wedding fragrance was reportedly created by the London perfumer Floris.
Is Cool Water still a good cologne today?
Yes. It remains a popular, affordable fresh fragrance, especially for warm weather and casual wear.
