Prince Charles' visit is royal bore for most in U.S.

WASHINGTON — Do Americans still care about the British royals? Prince Charles and wife No. 2, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are about to find out.

The newlyweds arrive in the United States Tuesday for an eight-day official visit of momentous importance for them and their government. But it's looking to be a ho-hum affair for most Americans.

A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows that 81 percent of Americans surveyed aren't interested in the visit. Only 19 percent say they'd like to meet the couple; 30 percent say they'd rather meet Prince William and Prince Harry, Charles' sons with the late Princess Diana.

"I don't think Americans ever really cared much about British royalty, with the exception of Diana, but even less so now," says Julie Skinner, 43, of St. Louis.

This is the royal couple's first overseas trip together since they were married in April. It comes almost 20 years to the day after the prince brought Diana to the United States and monarchy madness broke out.

"There's a curiosity factor, but not a fascination like there used to be," American royals biographer Kitty Kelley says.

Camilla will be under pressure to look good and show she has the right stuff to be Charles' queen consort. "Nobody hopes that she falls on her face," royals biographer Robert Lacey says.

Charles has overseen every detail of the trip, Kelley says, "including her wardrobe. There is no way he wants any unfavorable comparisons" to Diana. Officially, he is tasked by his government to polish the "special relationship" with America, charm Prime Minister Tony Blair's ally President Bush and persuade wary tourists to come back to the U.K.

To that end, the couple will dine twice at the White House, which is unusual, and more so given Bush's disdain for parties and staying up late. Plus, Bush and the prince make an unlikely pair.

"It's an open secret that Prince Charles was deeply opposed to the war in Iraq and holds very different views on the environment," Lacey says.

Indeed, the couple's schedule is packed with such activities as a meeting with U.N. chief Kofi Annan and a visit to an organic farm.

But, unlike 20 years ago, they won't be on the cover of People or its counterparts. "Maybe a photo in the front but no big blowout," Us Weekly spokeswoman Claudia DiRomualdo says. Besides, says Ruth Hilton, senior editor of OK! magazine, there are other priorities.

"If Tom (Cruise) and Katie (Holmes) get married on the same day, no coverage for Charles and Camilla."