[4][5] They eventually had four surviving children: daughters Charlotte and Jane (who later married Henry Christopher Wise), and sons Edward and William.

[6] In April 1825, Edward Disbrowe travelled to Saint Petersburg to serve as Minister Plenipotentiary at the court of Tsar Alexander I. Anne followed in June, accompanied by her father.

[7][8][9] Initially told this would be a short-lived posting, they decided to leave their two young daughters behind in England out of fear the sea journey would be too dangerous.

Events at court quickly extended the couple's stay; Tsar Alexander died, which precipitated the Decembrist revolt and Nicholas I's eventual succession.

As there was no permanent ambassador to Russia in place, Anne was the highest ranking English lady present and had many social duties to perform, further delaying their return home.

[15] Charlotte later published much of her mother's correspondence; these letters have provided historians with valuable first-hand accounts of life at the Russian court in the early 19th century.