Anticipating the birth and christening of his child, in September 1615 the royal favourite Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset commissioned new silver plate from the goldsmith John Williams.

At the time of her birth, her parents were imprisoned on charges of having participated in the fatal poisoning of Sir Thomas Overbury in 1613.

King Charles I, who favoured the marriage, eventually persuaded the earl to give his consent to the match;[8] thus on 11 July 1637 at St. Benet's Church, Paul's Wharf, London, William Russell and Anne Carr were married.

It was believed at the time that her death was brought about by the shock she received at the execution of William; from that moment onwards, her health had visibly declined and she never recovered.

She is represented beside her husband in classical drapery on a high pedestal, seated in an attitude intended to express grief.