In one of the swiftest celebrity real estate transactions since Emma Stone’s Spanish-style bungalow in Los Angeles sold in under two weeks, the former London residence of Princess Diana’s stepmother, Countess Raine Spencer, has found a buyer in just three days.
Located at 24 Farm Street in Mayfair, this home was frequently visited by Diana after her divorce from King Charles. It was listed in late June for £10.95 million (approximately $14.2 million). According to Wetherell, the firm that brokered the deal, this marks the fastest residential sale in the area this year. “This is the first time the Farm Street house has been on the market in 22 years, and it effectively sold in its first week,” noted Wetherell agent Robert Dawson.
Built in the early ‘80s, the Georgian-style mansion was purchased in 1990 by Diana’s father, John Spencer, as a gift for his second wife. Following his death in 1992, the countess inherited this prestigious property, along with a vacation home in Bognor Regis.
The four-story estate boasts a cream-colored stucco façade and nearly 5,000 square feet of living space, including five bedrooms, an elevator, and a rooftop terrace. Its interior features a dining room adorned with red walls and sparkling chandeliers reminiscent of Althorp, Diana’s childhood home. The first floor includes a grand reception hall, a drawing room, and a stately library, reportedly her husband’s favorite room. The sleek eat-in kitchen opens to a private outdoor patio, while upstairs are two ensuite bedrooms with walk-in wardrobes. The third floor hosts a self-contained guest suite with a bedroom, dressing room, and bathroom, plus access to the south-facing terrace.
In the early 2000s, the countess sold the property to art collectors Alan and Mary Hobart and moved back to her Grosvenor Square apartment. Known as a British socialite and local politician, Raine was also the daughter of renowned romance novelist Dame Barbara Cartland. Interestingly, Cartland’s former Mayfair home was listed last year for $44 million but has yet to find a buyer.