Margaret Mercer Elphinstone

Margaret was introduced at a young age to the circle of the [[Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796–1817)|Princess Charlotte of Wales]], to whom she became attached and a close confidante; and this position raised a rumour against her (which, however, she was able entirely to refute) that she betrayed the Princess's secrets to the [[George IV|Prince Regent]].{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}

Margaret was introduced at a young age to the circle of the [[Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796–1817)|Princess Charlotte of Wales]], to whom she became attached and a close confidante; and this position raised a rumour against her (which, however, she was able entirely to refute) that she betrayed the Princess's secrets to the [[George IV|Prince Regent]].{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}

On 20 June 1817, at Edinburgh, Margaret married [[Charles, Comte de Flahaut]], [[aide-de-camp]] to [[Napoleon]], who had been educated in Britain, where he took refuge during the [[Bourbon Restoration in France|Bourbon Restoration]]. The Comtesse held a prominent place in society since her husband held office under King [[Louis Philippe I|Louis-Philippe I]] and later under Emperor [[Napoleon III]], and was ambassador to Vienna, and (1860) to the [[Court of St. James's]] (London), and finally resided at Paris as Grand Chancellor of the [[Legion of Honour|Légion d'Honneur]]. The Comtesse, who was also one of the lady patronesses of [[Almack's]], took part in all his social and political work.{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2004}} She was a prolific and perspicacious letter writer, and much of her correspondence is held at the [[Archives Nationales (France)|Archives nationales]], in Paris.See [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005098640 Archives du général Charles de Flahaut et de sa famille : 565 AP : inventaire (online version at the Hathi Trust).]

On 20 June 1817, at Edinburgh, Margaret married [[Charles, Comte de Flahaut]], [[aide-de-camp]] to [[Napoleon]], who had been educated in Britain, where he took refuge during the [[Bourbon Restoration in France|Bourbon Restoration]]. The Comtesse held a prominent place in society since her husband held office under King [[Louis Philippe I|Louis-Philippe I]] and later under Emperor [[Napoleon III]], and was ambassador to Vienna, and (1860) to the [[Court of St. James's]] (London), and finally resided at Paris as Grand Chancellor of the [[Legion of Honour|Légion d'Honneur]]. The Comtesse, who was also one of the lady patronesses of [[Almack's]], took part in all his social and political work.{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2004}} She was a prolific and perspicacious letter writer, and much of her correspondence is held at the [[Archives Nationales (France)|Archives nationales]], in Paris.See [https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005098640 Archives du général Charles de Flahaut et de sa famille : 565 AP : inventaire (online version at the HathiTrust).]

The Comtesse died at the [[Palais de la Légion d'Honneur]] in Paris, on 11 November 1867. Her eldest daughter, [[Emily Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne|Emily]], succeeded her as [[Lord Nairne|Lady Nairne]].{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2004}}

The Comtesse died at the [[Palais de la Légion d'Honneur]] in Paris, on 11 November 1867. Her eldest daughter, [[Emily Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne|Emily]], succeeded her as [[Lord Nairne|Lady Nairne]].{{sfn|Humphreys|1889|p=325}}{{sfn|Reynolds|2004}}