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

Through the Lens of Love: Claudia Legge Revisits Barbara Cartland’s Legacy

Photographer Claudia Legge

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.

What sparked the idea for this project?

"This Is Your Life" Barbara Cartland (centre) Claudia Legge In The Arms Of Her Mother, Victoria Legge On Her Right.

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.

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.

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Credits

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

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

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Lily Nova Reflection, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-Up Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bathroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Leni Vöster, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-Up Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Dame Barbara Cartland's Bedroom, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Barbara Cartland's Sectarieries Typewriter Photograph By Claudia Legge

Barbara Cartland's Manuscripts Photograph by Claudia Legge

The Library With All Of Barbara Cartland's Novels, Photograph by Claudia Legge

Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

This History of Dame Barbara Cartland & How I Want To Be Remembered, Photograph By Claudia Legge

One Of Barbara Cartland's Hats, Photographed By Claudia Legge

Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Details Of Barbara Cartland's Dressing Room, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Details Of Camfield Place, Photograph By Claudia Legge

The Sitting Room At Camfield Place, Photograph By Claudia Legge

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

Hanging Pictures On The Back Of Doors Was One Of Barbara Cartland's Favourite Decorating Flares, Photograph By Claudia Legge

Model Lily Nova, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-up by Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

Model Leni Vöster, Photograph By Claudia Legge, Styling by Grace Joel, Make-Up by Dominique Hawkes and Hair Styling by Laura Swaine

'Love & Best Wishes' 1980, A Portrait Of Barbara Cartland In Camfield Place Photograph By Claudia Legge

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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.