Raine, Countess Spencer with Princess Diana in 1997 Tim Graham/Getty Images Variously titled the Countess of Dartmouth, Countess Spencer and La Comtesse de Chambrun, Raine Spencer is perhaps best known for being vilified as the ‘wicked stepmother’ of Princess Diana, the future queen, and wife of John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, although her biographer claims the two women went on to become ‘close confidantes’. Read More From ‘wicked stepmother’ to unlikely ally: inside Diana’s relationship with Raine Spencer – on the anniversary of her death The late Raine, Countess Spencer, died eight years ago today.