The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Royal Pride arrived in 2023 under the nose of Abdullah Anfar. The composition leans into the territory where cooling citrus meets warm, resinous depth, presenting freshness at the entrance and fire in the middle. The name itself suggests something regal, but the fragrance doesn't perform royalty. It carries it quietly, the kind of composure that doesn't need announcing. Royal Pride settles into skin with a grounded warmth underneath, never becoming loud. Bergamot and lemon open the composition, sharpened by mint, with pear adding a faint sweetness underneath. Lavender hums in the background, pulling the opening toward something aromatic rather than purely fresh.
What makes Royal Pride interesting isn't any single note. It's the architecture. Bergamot, lemon, and pear open with a clarity that reads almost as a classic cologne, lavender and mint sharpening the edge. Then the heart pulls hard in the opposite direction: cinnamon and caraway bring a heat that's aromatic rather than sweet, the kind of spice you smell in old apothecaries rather than dessert kitchens. Clary sage threads through it, herbal and slightly dry, keeping the warmth honest. The base commits to that honesty with black vanilla husk, amber, cedar, and patchouli. No gourmand softness, no creamy sandalwood cushion.
The evolution
The first 15 minutes belong to the citrus. Bergamot and lemon lead, sharpened by mint, with pear adding a faint sweetness underneath. Lavender hums in the background, pulling the opening toward something aromatic rather than purely fresh. It's crisp, almost bracing. By the 30-minute mark, the spices arrive. Cinnamon takes the lead, warm but not sweet, joined by caraway's slightly bitter, anise-edged heat. Clary sage threads between the two, keeping the composition from tipping into gourmand territory. The lavender fades but never quite disappears. The base settles in around the two-hour mark and stays. Black vanilla husk brings a smoky, resinous sweetness rather than a creamy one. Cedar and patchouli ground everything, and amber wraps it in warmth. The drydown reads warm, slightly smoky, and close to skin.
Cultural impact
Royal Pride reads as a spiced, amber-leaning composition with a bright aromatic opening. The citrus-to-spice structure gives it versatility across transitional weather, fitting naturally into evenings when warmth matters but freshness still appeals. Its profile shares territory with classic warm-toned perfumery while offering a modern, aromatic twist at the top. Bergamot, lemon, and mint create an entrance that feels alive, crisp, and immediately present. The heart of cinnamon, caraway, and clary sage provides complexity, depth, and a slight bite that keeps the composition from becoming too soft.
The House
Anfar LondonAnfar London blends a mid‑century Indian heritage with a contemporary London sensibility. The house offers fragrances that linger for hours, using rich woods, spices and floral accords that feel both familiar and unexpected. Each scent is presented in a sleek bottle that emphasizes the perfume itself rather than flashy branding, inviting the wearer to explore a quiet confidence. Anfar’s catalogue, built since the early 2020s, includes Retro Wood, Ashy Wood, Azure Spirit and the 2022 Meditation, each designed to perform well in everyday life and special moments alike.
The Creator
Abdullah AnfarAnfar’s signature technique centers on a high‑grade oud base, distilled from mature trees in the Himalayas. He pairs this with rare Indian spices, such as cardamom and nutmeg, and bright citrus accords that lift the composition.
