Scent is 'inspired by classic fragrances' from era of coronation and made using essential oils from around Commonwealth
With odoriferous compounds extracted from across the Commonwealth, a unique scent has been created especially for the Queen to mark her diamond jubilee.
Possibly the most exclusive fragrance since the days of Cleopatra, the perfume is a gift from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).
As to the pricetag? There are some things money cannot buy and Adamas, the name of the perfume, taken from the ancient Greek for diamonds, is one of them.
The RSC is keeping the formula under lock and key and pledge that the fragrance will never be offered to anyone other than the Queen.
The chemist and perfumer Angela Stavrevska, from CPL Aromas, the British-based international fragrance house which created the scent to an RSC brief, said: "The perfume was inspired by the classic fragrances available at the time of the coronation.
"Sensual florals were popular during this era, as were fresh and lively green accords, both of which feature in Adamas."
The perfume is described as "a beautiful green floral fragrance in a classical style with subtle modern twists".
Though the exact formula is now locked away at the RSC headquarters in London's Piccadilly, it can be revealed precious essential oils were sourced from around the Commonwealth.
"The green opening of the fragrance is sweetened by modern notes of pear and peach whilst a dew drop accord adds freshness and Canadian cedar leaf oil adds a warm edge," said Stavrevska.
"The blooming bouquet at the heart of the fragrance combines the freshness of lily-of-the-valley with classic touches of rose, Indian Jasmine oil and heady, exotic Indian Tuberose oil.
"Warmth at the heart is provided by a subtle spice accord of Indian black pepper, Jamaican pimento leaf and Sri Lankan cinnamon leaf oils whilst the enveloping base combines sweet amber, Australian Sandalwood oil and tonka bean with clean vetiver, musks and patchouli."
A red, gold and pink bottle was fashioned from recycled Dartington crystal by craftsmen David Sanders and Andrew Wallace at their Pateley Bridge workshop in the Yorkshire Dales.
The gift was presented to Buckingham Palace on Monday. And, once the bottle's contents have been used, the RSC will offer a refill service using custom-made test tubes.
The president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Prof Lesley Yellowlees, said: "The RSC, of which the Queen is patron, wished to mark Her Majesty's jubilee in a special fashion and, with her agreement, we set about creating something that would echo her own interests while having a unique aroma."
Royal perfumes
Queen Elizabeth I was said to have doused herself in a blend of musk, damaskwater, rose-water and sugar, which was boiled for five hours then strained, according to a recipe discovered in a book at London's Royal Horticultural Society.
Queen Victoria was, reportedly, a fan of the British perfume house Creed, and wore their Fleurs de Bulgarie, made from Bulgarian roses, with notes of musk, ambergris and bergamot. An updated version is still a bestseller.
Floris holds the royal warrant as perfumers to Queen Elizabeth II. In honour of the jubilee, it released the Royal Arms Diamond Edition, an updated version of the fragrance created to celebrate her birth in 1926.
The Duchess of Cambridge reportedly chose Illuminum's White Gardenia Petals for her wedding, to compliment her floral bouquet.
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