Compare up to four fragrances

Monarque does not hide its Althaïr reference, and Armaf openly positions it that way. Cinnamon, orange blossom and cardamom give the opening the right warm lift, but the vanilla arrives sooner and with more weight. The result feels creamier and distinctly sweeter than Parfums de Marly.
The candied almond is the detail that changes its personality. Althaïr has more air, dry wood and spice around its vanilla; Monarque coats those bones in praline and almond, almost like warm vanilla cream with a caramelized crust. Smelled closely, the extra sweetness makes the clone easier to identify. In the scent trail, that distinction becomes much less obvious.
Performance is a genuine strength rather than marketing noise. Wearers repeatedly report long days from it, and the projection has enough authority that heavy spraying can become tiring. I would not call Monarque an exact photocopy of Althaïr. It is a richer, more gourmand interpretation, and for some people that small change may actually be the better perfume.