Her paternal grandparents were Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington, and Anne Hill, daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, 1st Viscount Dungannon.

They eloped on 5 September 1815, following which Abdy brought a suit for criminal conversation ("crim.

During the discussion of the divorce bill, the customary provision against remarriage was struck out in the House of Lords.

Sir William Abdy was granted a divorce by royal consent to a special Act of Parliament on 25 June 1816.

Anne and Lord Charles were married on 23 July 1816, enabling their first child (which she was expecting) to be born legitimate three weeks later.