Girls in pearls, babes of the week, English roses, first ladies: the Frontispiece is arguably one of the most iconic pages in magazine publishing. And it has appeared in every single issue of Country Life since the magazine's inception in 1897.
It was initially conceived as a vehicle for members of the aristocracy and, later on, as a means to introducing young women into Society. More recently, it's evolved to commemorate engagements, achievements, charitable endeavours and burgeoning careers.
This week's Frontispiece features Sir David and Lady Beckham, photographed near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.
Here are several more of our favourites:
Princess Henry of Pless (June 26, 1897)
An Edwardian Society belle, who regularly appeared in gossip columns of the day.
Pauline Duleep Singh (January 21, 1911)
The daughter, from his second marriage, of the last Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, who gave the Koh-i-noor diamond to Queen Victoria.
Viscountess Astor (November 1, 1919)
Nancy Astor was the first woman to sit in Parliament as an MP
TRH Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret (April 21, 1934)
The sisters were photographed together on the occasion of the future Queen’s eighth birthday. Elizabeth II appeared on the Frontispiece more than 30 times throughout her life.
The Hon Deborah Mitford (March 15, 1941)
Photographed shortly after the announcement of her engagement to Lord Andrew Cavendish of Chatsworth, Derbyshire, the future 11th Duke of Devonshire.
Lady Browning née Daphne Du Maurier (July 18, 1947)
The English author and playwright, who went on to write Rebecca, Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek.
Sheila Willcox (October 31, 1957)
She set new, professional standards in eventing and for women in sport and scored a record hat-trick of Badminton Horse Trials victories (1957–59).
Anne McCormick (June 7, 1971)
The first woman to appear on the Frontispiece with bare shoulders, albeit with the requisite string of pearls.
Miss Jemma Kidd (April 13, 1995)
Jemma went on to work as a make-up artist and model before marrying Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Douro, in 2005 (and divorcing in 2021). Their children appeared on the Frontispiece with their cousins and grandparents — the Duke and Duchess of Wellington — on June 17, 2015, to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
Miss Alicia Rountree (April 11, 2002)
Since appearing on the Frontispiece, Alicia has modelled for Victoria’s Secret and founded multiple businesses.
Daisy and Phoebe Knatchbull (May 20, 2015)
The daughters of Philip Knatchbull, former CEO of the Curzon World, the UK’s leading independent film distributor and cinema operator, and great-grand-daughters of Lord Mountbatten.
Daisy is the founder of Knatchbull (previously The Deck London), which, when it first opened, was Savile Row's first and only shopfront for women.
Princess Adebomi Adewale (August 14, 2019)
The twin daughter of the late Prince Gabriel Adekunjo of Nigeria.
Sir David and Lady Beckham (October 22, 2025)
David and his wife, Victoria, were photographed together, at home near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. They met when he was playing football for Manchester United and she was in world-famous pop group, the Spice Girls.
-
How to keep your dogs — and other wildlife — safe on Bonfire NightAnyone who’s ever owned a dog will remember, remember the 5th of November — not just for the Gunpowder Plot, but for the nervous wrecks it turns our dogs into.
-
Man's (new) best friend: Slinky, swift and sweet, a furry ferret is a worthy household companionFerrets are a perfect pet — just don't let them loose in the British Museum, Octavia Pollock writes.
-
The day that Stonehenge was sold via the pages of Country LifeStonehenge is shortly to be changed forever, with the planned tunnel getting the go-ahead. But it's not the first time that the site has witnessed upheaval.
-
Girls in pearls on horseback: British event riders in Country LifeBritish beauties mad keen on eventing.
