It’s no secret that his Majesty King Charles III is partial to a self-care moment. A quick scroll through the website of his official residence, Highgrove, reveals a shoppable edit of expertly curated British beauty brands including Penhaligon’s and Bramley. Highgrove even has its very own cologne ‘Splash.’ Created in Partnership with Truefitt & Hill - royal watchers have long speculated that the £135 spritz could very well be one of the King’s colognes of choice (according to Prince Harry's autobiography Spare, he's also a Dior Sauvage devotee) - it muddles together lavender, papyrus and vetiver. But it’s HRH’s bathing routine, specifically (and weirdly), making headlines this week.
Olverum, a British heritage beauty and wellness brand has been granted a Royal Warrant - a prestigious mark of recognition that pays homage to the brand's ‘long-standing commitment to quality, care, and craftsmanship.'
Olverum epitomises 'quiet luxury' - it flies relatively under the radar and (until now) has been a well-kept secret among the beauty elite. It's the bath oil, in particular, that has amassed a throng of beauty-savvy fans thanks to its relaxing blend of essential oils - think spa-worthy notes of invigorating rosemary, soothing lavender and calming chamomile. It's a clever blend designed to 'reduce stress, promote well-being and improve overall mood' according to the brand, a tonic, surely, for a long-serving royal with a busy schedule.
Shop: Olverum Bath Oil
www.spacenk.com
What Olverum says: 'Ease stress and relax tension with the help of Olverum Bath Oil, a bath oil featuring a blend of essential oils that help to soothe aching muscles and promote restorative sleep. This bath and body solution also helps to lightly moisturise skin while giving it a silky feel.'
What we know: A delicious bath oil made with natural plant extracts - think Siberian fir needle, eucalyptus leaf, lemon peel, lavender and rosemary leaf oil.
Rachael Martin, beauty editor, says: 'Vegan and cruelty-free, Olverum Bath Oil is among the best kept secrets of beauty journalists the world over. Rich and golden, just a few, precious drops added to your bath will fill a room with a delicious scent sure to relax and invigorate in equal measure.'
Pros
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Long lasting scent
- Beautiful glass bottle
Cons
- The oil lingers - a good clean of the bath will be neccesary.
- Certainly expensive
The decision to discretely award Olverum the royal warrant is testament to the value the King places on a decent bath. The King's bath ritual even cropped up in Spare - Harry mentions practically being able to set his watch by his father's evening bathing routine, detailing how he would listen to ‘storybooks on his wireless’ while in the tub, then put on his slippers and begin ‘padding’ down the hall.
Paul Burrell, Diana’s former butler, speaking on the Amazon documentary Serving the Royals, divulged ‘the water temperature has to be just tepid, and only half full, while 'his bath bath plug must face a specific direction.'
We all have our bathing non-negotiables...
Rachael Martin is Grazia’s beauty editor where she covers all things beauty, health and wellness.
