Through the Lens of Love

Claudia Legge Revisits Barbara Cartland’s Legacy

Jan 22, 2025

Model Lily Nova In Front Of Barbara Cartland's Bed, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-up Up by Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Photographer Claudia Legge has long felt the presence of her great-grandmother, Barbara Cartland—a woman who made herself a heroine not just in her novels but in her own life. Known for her prolific output, love of romance, and signature pink aesthetic, Cartland’s legacy is preserved at Camfield Place, the family home. In this feature, Claudia shares her journey of reconnecting with Barbara through photography, exploring the rooms that remain untouched by time, and capturing the enduring spirit of a woman who shaped both her family and a generation.

Group of people smile under "This Is Your Life" Barbra Cartland Claudia Legge — "This Is Your Life" Barbara Cartland (centre) Claudia Legge In The Arms Of Her Mother, Victoria Legge On Her Right.

What sparked the idea for this project?

My great-grandmother, Barbara Cartland, has always been a huge presence in my life, right from the very beginning. When I was born, a newspaper article declared that Barbara wanted her first great-granddaughter to be named Portia after her latest heroine. A few months later, at only three months old, I was carried on stage to mark her second appearance on This Is Your Life.

Barbara was a remarkable woman who achieved so much in her lifetime. I was endlessly fascinated by her energy, determination, and the way she operated on her own terms in a man’s world. She was the first woman to truly turn herself into a brand. Tough yet unapologetically celebratory of femininity, beauty, love, and romance. Going to her house to shoot this series felt like my way of getting closer to her.

Stepping through the door at Camfield Place is like stepping back in time. Everything has been preserved exactly as it was. Since her death 25 years ago, her sons have kept the house unchanged, as though she has stepped out and might reappear at any moment. Her bedroom suite, in particular, still carries the reverence of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. That feeling of preservation is precisely why I wanted to explore Barbara’s legacy through the world she left behind. As a photographer, I also find Camfield deeply inspiring; it holds an infectious creative energy. Interestingly, another prolific British writer—Beatrix Potter—lived there before her.

Before beginning this project, I contacted my favourite stylist, Grace Joel, and asked her to collaborate. We spent days at the house, exploring every corner. On our first day of shooting, we went up to my granny’s bedroom, and astonishingly, a sparrow hawk awaited us. None of us could explain how it got there. All the windows were closed; her bedroom was the furthest room from the front door. I like to think it was a sign.

I’ve always been interested in omens, so I looked up the meaning of the sparrow hawk:

“The sparrow hawk symbolizes the need for focus and determination in pursuing one’s goals and aspirations. It teaches us that with clear vision and steadfast resolve, we are capable of achieving great things.”

It felt like something straight from the Barbara Cartland playbook—she was always offering advice of that kind. The timing also felt significant. Having just had two children, I’m more ready than ever to focus on my work and see where it takes me. I managed to photograph the sparrow hawk before we let it fly free, a moment I’ll always treasure.

Sparrow Hawk In The Bedroom Of Barbara Cartland Photograph By Claudia Legge

How has your relationship with Camfield Place—and Barbara Cartland's enduring legacy—evolved over the years?

Going to Camfield Place as a child was like stepping into a dream. Barbara ensured she was the heroine of her own life, surrounded by a fairytale setting of pink walls, gilded baroque four-poster beds, gold mirrors, powder blue carpets, and silk curtains. Even then, it felt like a French chivalric dream transported to the early 20th century.

It’s a construct, of course—her vision of how life should be, an image that comes across vividly in her books. My grandmother, Barbara's daughter, Raine Spencer, undoubtedly inherited this aesthetic. She, too, loved gilded furniture, boudoirs, and, of course, pink... I love pink.

Shooting this series at Camfield was, for me, a homage to Barbara—to honour her vision and her belief in the power of romance. I think we’ve lost this vision somewhat in the arts, particularly in portrait photography. I’m currently experimenting with bringing it back into my work, using water as a medium in my portraits. It’s an ongoing process, but one I’m excited about.

Illustrations Romance Novels Barbra Cartland Claudia Legge — Original Illustrations Of Barbara Cartland's 734 novels, Photograph by Claudia Legge

I remain incredibly close with my great-uncle, who now lives in Camfield, and we spend a lot of time there. It’s always magical seeing my children running around the pink and blue rooms in their pyjamas while the grown-ups sit in black tie, surrounded by the original illustrations for her 734 novels—each one, naturally, in a gold frame.

Her legacy endures in so many ways, and thanks to her family, it will continue to do so. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of her first published novel, and exciting plans are in the works to celebrate. The writing gene runs strong in our family: my father, Rupert Legge, is a writer, as is my aunt, Charlotte di Carcaci, and my cousin, Miranda di Carcaci, who is currently writing her first book. In many ways, Barbara’s legacy lives on through them.

Full article here!

Credits

PHOTOGRAPHER - Claudia Legge, STYLIST - Grace Joel, MAKE-UP ARTIST - Dominique Hawkes

HAIRSTYLIST - Laura Waine, MODELS - Lily Nova (Milk Management) - Leni Voster (Milk Management) - CASTING DIRECTOR - Marina Fairfax

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

The ornate gold mirror reflects a luxurious bedroom with pink damask wallpaper and a detailed bedpost. It's an elegant, opulent setting. Dame Barbra Cartland's Bedroom Photographed By Claudia Legge — Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Lily Nova Reflection, Photography By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes, Laura Swaine Hair Camfield Place Barbara Cartland — Model Lily Nova Reflection, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make -Up Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Ornate bathroom with a large gold-framed mirror, blue walls, and vintage artwork. Marble sink with toiletries and decorative chair. Camfield Place Barbra Cartland Claudia Legge — Dame Barbara Cartland's Bathroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Leni Vöster wears one of Barbra Cartland's Dresses, Photography By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes Hair Laura Swaine Barbra Cartland — Model Leni Vöster, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Elegant bedroom with ornate gold mirror and table. Red canopy bed, matching curtains, and lamp. Calm mood with soft light filtering in. Dame Barbra Cartland's Bedroom Photographed By Claudia Legge — Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Elegant room with a pink chair, ornate dresser, and large mirror. Red curtains frame a window. Blue carpet and soft, vintage ambience. Dame Barbra Cartland's Bedroom Photographed By Claudia Legge — Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Office desk with a typewriter, phone, and organized folders in foreground. Wall behind has vintage paintings in gold frames. Barbara Cartland's Sectarieries Typewriter Claudia Legge — Barbara Cartland's Sectarieries Typewriter Photograph By Claudia Legge

Stacks of files on wooden shelves with red labels and visible text like "USA." Papers are worn and slightly curled. Archive setting. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge — Barbara Cartland's Manuscripts Photograph by Claudia Legge

Bookshelves filled with books of varied colors, mostly reds and blues, in a cozy library. A small stack of books sits on a nearby table. Barbra Cartland Claudia Legge — The Library With All Of Barbara Cartland's Novels, Photograph by Claudia Legge

Stacked boxes labelled "Pink Hats Feathers" and "Fur Pieces" with pink cushions in an open drawer, set against a neutral background. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Place — Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Red booklet with pink ribbon, titled "The History of Dame Barbara Cartland," atop a brown package. Background features a yellow drawer. Claudia Legge — This History of Dame Barbara Cartland & How I Want To Be Remembered, Photograph By Claudia Legge

A pink hat with netting on a stand atop a textured round pink box rests on a wooden dresser. Soft lighting, vintage feel. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge — One Of Barbara Cartland's Hats, Photographed By Claudia Legge

A round box filled with various pink hats featuring fluffy and patterned textures sits on a dark surface against a cream background. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Place — Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Pink coat with double-breasted buttons hangs on a white-paneled door. The coat has striped sleeves, creating a vintage, elegant feel. Details Of Barbra Cartland's Dressing Room Photography By Claudia Legge — Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Rack of pink dresses in a room with pale walls. Stacked boxes and an old phone on a wooden dresser. Vintage trunks at the bottom. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Place — Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Barbra Cartland Camfield Place Claudia Legge — Details Of Camfield Place, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Elegant room with ornate mirror and painting on pastel green walls, red cabinet, floral decor, books, champagne, pink sofas, and soft light. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Hall — The Sitting Room At Camfield Place, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Models Lily Nova and Leni Voster Wear Barbra Cartland Dresses Photography By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-up by Dominique Hawkes Hair Laura Swaine Barbara Cartland — Models Lily Nova and Leni Voster Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-up by Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling.by Laura Swaine

Frames with portraits and landscapes arranged on a pale green door, creating a vintage and artistic atmosphere. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Hall — Hanging Pictures On The Back Of Doors Was One Of Barbara Cartland's Favourite Decorating Flares, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Lily Nova, Photography By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes Laura Swaine Barbara Cartland — Model Lily Nova, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Makeup by Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Waine

Model Leni Vöster wears one of Barbra Cartland's Dresses, Photography By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes Camfield Place Laura Swaine Hair Barbara Cartland — Model Leni Vöster, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make Up Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Waine

Ornate gold-framed portrait of a woman in pink against a green wall; text reads "Love and best wishes for Christmas 1960." Elegant setting. Barbara Cartland Claudia Legge Camfield Hall — 'Love & Best Wishes' 1980, A Portrait Of Barbara Cartland In Camfield Place Photograph By Claudia Legge

We were delighted to publish this piece. Barbra Cartland's legacy remains a pink, romantic haven, which Claudia has captured exceedingly well. If you'd like to visit Camfield Place, find out more here.

Through the Lens of Love

Claudia Legge Revisits Barbara Cartland’s Legacy

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