Ladies of London: The New Reign’s Mark-Francis Vandelli has the inside scoop on everything happening in the UK social scene.
The above sneak peek proves as much, and in anticipation of the show’s premiere on Thursday, March 5, Mark shared even more about his life in an exclusive interview with The Daily Dish. Put simply, “I’m a gentleman, on occasion. Sometimes a total bitch, but, you know, gentle nonetheless.”
As for his position as the only male cast member on Ladies of London: The New Reign alongside Margo Stilley, Martha Sitwell, Lottie Kane, Missè Beqiri, Kimi Murdoch, Myka Meier, and Lady Emma Thynn? “It feels kind of great,” he said. “I mean, it’s where I belong.”
Get additional details about Mark-Francis Vandelli ahead of the Ladies of London series premiere, from having a real-life princess for a mom to his place in high society.
Details on Mark-Francis Vandelli’s famous family
Mark-Francis is the 36-year-old son of Russian princess and model Diane Boulting-Casserley Vandelli, once the muse for famed French designer Yves Saint Laurent in the ’70s and ’80s, according to Tatler. Mark-Francis’s father is Italian businessman and industrialist Marzio Vandelli.
Known for being guarded about his personal life — much to the chagrin of his castmates on the long-running British reality series, Made in Chelsea (more on that later) — Mark-Francis confirmed in 2023 that his parents were still married, though it made for an interesting upbringing, as published by Grazia Magazine.
Related: Meet the Glamorous Cast of Ladies of London: The New Reign (Official Photos & Bios)
“There are couples who believe in separate bathrooms, and there are couples who believe in separate countries,” he said. “From the age of two, I lived with my mother during the week, and then on Saturday, I’d be with my father.”
In his exclusive interview with The Daily Dish, he shared more about his mom: “My mother’s the kind of person who knows all the rules and has, in fact, dedicated her life to breaking them,” he said. “And I really admire people like that, I have to say.”
Where does Mark-Francis Vandelli live?
Mark-Francis was born in London, but joked to The Daily Dish, “I’m Russian, Italian, and probably many other things I’d rather not know about.”
He continues to be based in London today, though he’s “constantly traveling around Europe and America.”
What does Mark-Francis Vandelli do for a living?
Mark-Francis is an “extravagant socialite and tastemaker” according to his official Ladies of London: The New Reign bio. When asked for details about his career, he told The Daily Dish, “I’m a jewelry designer. And, I suppose if you ask the wrong people, I’m a television personality.”
Regarding the latter, Mark-Francis has appeared on dozens of television shows over the years; most notably, Channel 4’s Made in Chelsea from its debut season in 2011 up until 2022. Other series include Made in Chelsea spin-offs in Ibiza, the South of France, Croatia, New York City, and Los Angeles, plus Come Dine with Me, The Stand Up Sketch Show, and World’s Greatest Hotels.
More details on Mark-Francis Vandelli’s life in London
Mark-Francis socializes with the upper echelon of British society, from royalty to fashion’s biggest names. A quick look at his Instagram shows him with heir to the throne Prince William, designer Valentino, and David Beckham, though he appears especially close to his Ladies of London castmate Lady Emma Thynn, the Marchioness of Bath — or, as Mark referred to her on Instagram, his “wife for life.”
Fun fact: Mark-Francis is also the godfather of Lady Emma’s son, as seen on Instagram.
Related: Ladies of London: The New Reign Trailer Features Rumors of “Madams” and Ruthless Disses
When asked about what the perfect London day looked like to him, he told The Daily Dish, “The perfect day in London is, well, unlike any other. I despise routines. So, unique. Just like me.”
But there was one thing he wanted to clear up. “The biggest misconception about London is that it’s a very formal city. Whereas, in fact, it’s totally informal,” he continued. “It’s actually, in its rigidity, incredibly casual. Just look at me.”
Find out which Ladies of London: The New Reign cast member has a “notorious” claim to fame.
