She was a lady-in-waiting to Grand Duchess Helena Pawlovna and later to Empress Maria Fedorovna.

In Russia, she hosted a literary salon and among her guests were the poet Leskov, Carl Ferdinand Walter, Georg Berkholz, Carmen Sylva, and Cardinal Antonelli.

In the court of Helena Pawlovna, the "witty" Editha was known for her literacy and ability to summarize current literature, according to Bunnett.

[2]Fraulein von Rahden, the favourite lady of the Court, was not to be surpassed in the art of making short compendiums of the bulkiest works, and for years German scholars joined this most unusual woman in her task, finding plenty to do in sifting the material with which the indefatigable royal reader was supplied.

After this, she became engaged in several charitable organisations with a focus on medical care and female education.