France's Favorite Couples

William and Kate voted one of France's favourite couples as Sarkozy and Carla Bruni fall drastically out of favour

By Peter Allen
PUBLISHED: 14:41 GMT, 8 August 2012 | UPDATED: 16:45 GMT, 8 August 2012

The French have voted Prince William and his wife Kate among their favourite married couples – while scorning Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni.
Britain’s world-famous royals head a list of power couplings along with Jean Dujardin, star of the hit film ‘The Artist’, and his actress wife Alexandra Lamy.
A Harris Interactive poll for Gala magazine saw 17 per cent of people voting for Dujardin-Lamy as their favourites, with William and Kate just behind them on 13 per cent.

Celebratory clinch at the velodrome: William and Kate have been dominating French TV screens and newspapers during their appearances like this one at the London Olympics

Favourites with the French: The Duke and Duchess have been hugely popular across the Channel following their wedding last year

But former president Mr Sarkozy and his former supermodel wife managed a dismal three per cent of the vote.

Neither has been seen for more than five weeks after anti-corruption police raided their Paris mansion after Mr Sarkozy was accused of accepting illegal cash payments from L’Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt, France’s richest woman.

Fallen out of favour: Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni got just three per cent of the votes in the poll of France's favourite 'dream couple'

The Sarkozys, who married in 2008, have frequently been criticised for their multi-millionaire ‘bling-bling’ lifestyle and obsession with super-rich friends.
William and Kate have, meanwhile, been dominating French TV screens and newspapers during their appearances at the London Olympics.
The couple’s wedding was also hugely popular across the Channel last year, with some French bemoaning the fact that they have not had a royal family of their own since the 1789 Revolution.

First place pairing: The Artist actor Jean Dujardin and his wife Alexandra Lamy topped the list

Dujardin and Lamy, who married in 2009, are – like William and Kate - viewed as having taste and modesty, as well as large amounts of money.
US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are also high up the list of  ‘dream couples’ with 12 per cent of the vote.

American dream: U.S. President Barack Obama and wife Michelle were also high on the list

Well-liked: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were voted the fifth most popular couple in the poll

FRANCE'S FAVOURITE MARRIED COUPLES

1. Jean Dujardin and Alexandre Lamy (17 per cent)
2. Prince William and Kate (13 per cent)
3. Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet (12 per cent) 
4. Barack and Michelle Obama (12 per cent)
5. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (9 per cent) 

Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who have spent a great deal of time in France, are in 5th position on nine per cent.
Towards the bottom, however, are Prince Albert of Monaco and his wife, the former South African swimmer, Charlene.
Many have pointed to frailties in their marriage, especially since Charlene tried to flee home just before their opulent wedding last year.
The Sarkozy couple are on just three per cent of the vote, although their lack of popularity is beaten by Gallic Elvis Johnny Hallyday.
The ageing crooner, who was once a close friend of Mr Sarkozy before they fell out over France’s high taxes, and his wife Laeticia managed just one per cent of the vote.
The Harris Interactive poll was carried out between July 30th and August 2nd, with 1448 adults across France asked to list their favourite dream couple.