 The daughter of Sir William Thomas Knollys, a successful military figure and Comptroller of the Household to Edward VII the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Elizabeth St. Aubyn, Charlotte Knollys was born in London on 5 January 1835.Her parents lived at 13 Portman St. in Marylebone.At 28, was sent into Alexandra's service as a Lady of the Bedchamber.