Martha Bruce, Countess of Elgin

Martha Bruce, Countess of Elgin and Kincardine (27 May 1739[citation needed] – 21 June 1810), known for most of her life as Lady Elgin, was a British noblewoman and governess to Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of the future King George IV, at the time second in line to the throne.

of Kirkcaldy, Martha Whyte married Charles Bruce, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, at Edinburgh on 1 June 1759.

According to Burke's Peerage, The Countess of Elgin filled, with great credit to herself, the important station of governess to her royal highness the deeply-deplored [sic] Princess Charlotte of Wales.

[9]An obituary of Princess Charlotte in 1818 described Elgin as "a very worthy and pious Countess who acted for some years as Gouvernante".

Martha Bruce, Countess of Elgin and Kincardine; whose life has been spent in the uniform exercise of piety and benevolence.