George Brudenell-Bruce, 2nd Marquess of Ailesbury was his elder brother and Lord Charles Bruce his younger half-brother.

In 1841 he was sworn of the Privy Council[3] and appointed Vice-Chamberlain of the Household under Sir Robert Peel,[4] a post he held until the government fell in 1846.

[5] He continued in the post also when Lord Palmerston became prime minister in 1855, finally resigning in 1858.

[6] He remained MP for Marlborough until 1878, when he succeeded his elder brother in the marquessate and entered the House of Lords.

The Marchioness of Ailesbury died in October 1891, aged 77, and was also buried at Great Bedwyn.