It’s no secret that a good chunk of Londoners are capital ‘r’ rich, but that doesn’t make excessive displays of wealth any less unnerving to the average person.
It’s also a fact that the best reality TV shows give viewers a glimpse into corners of society they may never set foot in, be it Belgravia or Bayswater.
The Real Housewives of London sits somewhere between these two truths; on the verge of reality television greatness and an insensitive parade of wealth.
I was lucky enough to attend the show’s premiere last week and, much like the housewives, it was a fabulous affair. Guests were treated to unlimited bubbles and an early screening of the first episode, streaming now on Hayu.
Many of us walked out pleasantly surprised by how well this franchise translated to our capital – seriously, there’s nothing like hearing classic British insults on the big screen. And while I thoroughly recommend the show, I have to warn telly fans that it might leave you fuming.
Set in the Big Smoke, the first episode introduces viewers to housewives Juliet Angus, Amanda Cronin, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker and Nessie Welschinger.
They boast multi-millions between them and it doesn’t take long for the show to make it clear that they are far from relatable – at least not to most of us.
Before we even dive into the drama, a housewife boldly states that there is “no cost of living crisis here”. By “here” she doesn’t mean the capital, of course, she means certain postcodes within the capital that are immune from the nation’s struggles.
Elsewhere in the episode, another star reveals she used to spend £140,000 on clothes shopping and admits it was a waste of her money. If she could go back in time, she says, she would have bought an apartment and be renting it out right now – yet another stark reminder of this cast’s tax brackets.
Don’t get me wrong, their wealth is not a crime. But the show’s at-times callous display of the upper-class could easily offend viewers.
I’ll be honest, I started keeping a tally of the tone-deaf comments thrown around in the episode, which I eventually lost count of, but I still found myself laughing more often than not. The rest of the screening room was also in absolute bits; if they weren’t laughing they were cheering the housewives on.
While we took note of the statements that could land these ladies in hot water, it is clear that this show is ‘switch-your-brain-off’ entertainment. And by that measurement The Real Housewives of London excels, offering everything from punchy one-liners to messy feuds.
But as we stepped out of the screening, there was a clear divide in opinions. Some viewers found the socialites flaunting their property portfolios insensitive, considering there is a cost of living crisis on our sides of the river.
And wealth wasn’t the only touchy subject matter. Other viewers noted that a scene in which Juliet Mayhew is ridiculed for “borrowing” clothes is completely out of touch with the current climate crisis. While it may have been shamed in the noughties, borrowing clothes is applauded in 2025.
If you are set on tuning into the reality show, my warning is simple: ignore the current state of the world and fully immerse yourself in the socialites’ drama. It’s a blast.
The Real Housewives of London Episode 1 is streaming now on Hayu
