FED:Tradies strike a blow for men everywhere

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-2010
FED:Tradies strike a blow for men everywhere

Eds: Embargoed until 0001 AEDT Wednesday, December 22



SYDNEY, Dec 22 AAP - It's a result that will give heart to ordinary blokes the world over.

Aussie women would much rather marry a tradie than a prince, a new survey by The Australian
Women's Weekly has found.

Perhaps dreaming of a DIY-free life, ladies also say they would take a tradie over
a millionaire, an actor or sportsman, the survey of 1000 people found.

"I think it's a very Australian result," the magazine's editor-in-chief Helen McCabe told AAP.

"Australian women are very down to earth and that's reflected in this result."

She said we like to admire royal romances from afar, but most realise it is not a realistic
lifestyle.

The lifestyle of a tradie however, which Ms McCabe described as getting up early, knocking
off early then going for a beer, was pretty desirable for women.

And although Prince William's wedding has whipped up a right royal frenzy, the survey
revealed Australia's fondness for the monarchy is on a knife-edge.

A total of 52 per cent think the nation should remain a monarchy.

The majority (82 per cent) want William to be the next king, not Charles.

And 75 per cent back William's decision to give Kate his mum's ring.

On the issue of favourite royals, Diana is still tops, the survey found.

She had 45 per cent support, equal to that of Crown Princess Mary - the Aussie who
famously married into the Danish royal family after meeting Prince Frederik in a Sydney
pub.

The poll is published in Australian Women's Weekly, on sale on December 22.

AAP mdg/tr/cdh

KEYWORD: ROYALS SURVEY (EMBARGOED)

� 2010 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.