Francesca Rudkin: Do we have Coronation apathy?

I have not had a conversation with anyone about - and let’s call it by its official name - the Ceremony Of The Coronation Of Their Majesties. Except my producer, because it’s our job to talk about what’s going on!    But aside from Kerrie, who is very much looking forward to the event, nobody I know - family, friends, kids, anyone - is talking about King Charles III’s long awaited coronation. We still have a week to go, but right now there doesn’t seem to be much interest from Kiwi’s in this historic event. Do we have Coronation apathy?    It wouldn’t be a surprise if we do. We’ve got quite a bit on our plate at the moment. We’ve got pressing issues to discuss and debate which actually have an impact on our lives. Like a cost of living crisis. A subject which sits quite awkwardly alongside a weekend of expensive celebrations for the royal family.   And in a way, the coronation is just a formality – a symbolic, religious ceremony. We already acknowledge King Charles III as our Sovereign.   Turns out we’re not on our own. A YouGov poll of 3000 British adults shows they’re not much interested either in the King’s coronation. 35 percent said they “do not care very much” about the event and 29 percent said they “do not care at all”.  Some 24 percent said they care “a fair amount”, while only 9 percent said they care “a great deal”. That doesn’t mean they’re ignoring the coronation though; 46 percent said they are likely to watch or take part in related celebrations.  As you’d expect, coronation apathy is high among younger age groups. When participants were asked ‘How interested are you in the royal family?’ a large majority of younger people showed little interested – with 70 percent between the ages of 18 and 35 saying they're "not interested" in the royal family.   It’s not something to worry about this weekend, but perhaps something for King Charles to think deeply about afterwards.   I would guess it’s very much the same here in New Zealand. We’re not terribly interested, or perhaps connected, with what is taking place; but recognise the event’s historic significance. Many, me included, will be watching at 7pm this Saturday hoping the church services is a little bit interesting. Some will be watching for the pomp and ceremony. Some for the outfits and fascinators, or to gauge how good a time Prince Harry is having.   Others will be watching purely to pay their respects to a man who has patiently waited 74 years to fulfil his life’s purpose.    That alone will make it worth it.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.