America’s TV networks are going gaga over next week’s Royal Wedding in London, but citizens here in “the Colonies” are giving the event a big yawn, according to a new CBS News/New York Times poll.
The poll found that only 6 percent of Americans are closely following the upcoming wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, while 22 percent say they are “somewhat closely” paying attention.
“Women are paying much more attention to the wedding than men, particularly older women,” the New York Times reported. One-third of women under 40 are at least “somewhat closely” following the wedding, and 40 percent of women over 40.
The splashy wedding is designed to refurbish and modernize a somewhat dowdy image of the House of Windsor. Prince William is second in line to the throne after his father Prince Charles.
The poll gave a good reflection of where the Windsors’ image problem resides.
Although deceased for 13 years, and stripped of the title “Her Royal Highness” when she was divorced from Prince Charles, Princess Diana remains by far the most admired royal. She is seen favorably by 75 percent of Americans, the poll found.
Prince Charles is another story: 38 percent of “Yanks” view him favorably, 29 percent unfavorably. The image of the Prince of Wales has not been helped by disclosure that he talks to his plants, or that ever-present servants even put toothpaste on his toothbrush.
Queen Elizabeth II, who just celebrated her 85th birthday, gets a 61 percent favorable rating in the CBS/NYT poll. Although less known, Prince William is viewed favorably by 57 percent of those surveyed, a much higher rating than his father.
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