Scented candles banned in royal residences, claims former staff member

Many have wondered what it’s really like to be inside Buckingham Palace – the sights, the smells.

But one thing it definitively does not smell like is scented candles.

A former Buckingham Palace staff member – Anne Simmons, 57, from Berkshire – has shared the bizarre rule the royals have, claiming scented candles are strictly banned from their residences.

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She told Plumbworld, “Many people don’t realise that scented candles release toxins into the air. In a place like Buckingham Palace, where air quality is strictly controlled, they are completely off-limits.”

Scented candles contain paraffin wax, synthetic fragrances, and chemical stabilises that when burned can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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Royals and their favourite fragrances

These chemicals are released into the air, which may contribute to respiratory issues, headaches, and poor indoor air quality.

“The Royal Family is very particular about maintaining a clean and healthy environment. They avoid anything that could introduce unnecessary pollutants into the air,” adds Simmons.

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Instead, the royals choose a more natural route to freshen up their space.

Anne shares that the royal family opt for things like essential oil diffusers, which release natural, plant based aromas that las much longer than candles.

They also opt for fresh flowers their natural scent, as well as an added pop of colour. “The Palace always smells beautiful, but it’s because of real flowers, not artificial perfumes,” Simmons said.

Using fresh floral arrangements is one of the family’s most timeless traditions, said Simmons, with the royals using lilies, roses and gardenia in their bunches.

The royal family make sure to perfume every nook and cranny of their residences, with their wardrobes and linen being stuffed with sachets containing dried herbs, citrus peels, and lavender – an old trick used by the Royal family for generations, according to Simmons.

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But their steadfast rule has one exception – on special occasions, they break out the beeswax candles.

These are unscented, but provide a nice ambience with mood lighting to add to the experience of being in a castle.

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