13 Facts About Praskovya Bruce

Countess Praskovya Aleksandrovna Bruce was a Russian lady-in-waiting and noblewoman who was a confidante of Catherine the Great.

Countess Praskovya Aleksandrovna Rumyantseva was born into the noble Rumyantsev family.

Praskovya Bruce was the sister of Marshal Count Pyotr Rumyantsev and married to Count James Bruce, governor of Saint Petersburg.

Praskovya Bruce became the lady-in-waiting of Catherine soon after Catherine's arrival in Russia in 1744 and continued in that position after Catherine's elevation to the throne in 1762.

Praskovya Bruce was described as an attractive woman and as the "right hand" of Catherine.

Praskovya Bruce was called "Brussja" by Catherine, who entrusted her with her most intimate personal affairs.

Catherine said that Praskovya Bruce was "the person to whom I can say everything, without fear of the consequences".

Praskovya Bruce was described as Catherine's closest confidante in her private affairs.

Praskovya Bruce is best known in history as l'eprouveuse for the role that she allegedly played in Catherine's love life.

Praskovya Bruce played an important role in developing the relationship between Catherine and Potemkin, notably as a messenger, and played that role until the relationship was consummated in 1773.

Praskovya Bruce was then given the task of persuading Potemkin to leave his exile and enter a relationship with Catherine.

Praskovya Bruce returned to her spouse and was dismissed as a lady-in-waiting and replaced by Anna Protasova, the cousin of Alexej Orlov, who is mentioned as l'eprouveuse in the poems of Lord Byron.

Praskovya Bruce was played by Gina McKee in the 2019 TV miniseries Catherine the Great.