The survey by The Daily Telegraph and Gallup says just 6% of people are planning to commemorate Monday 31 August.

Of 1,009 people asked, 93% said they were not planning any act of remembrance.

The poll figures are bound to be used by those who argue that the nation is suffering from a form of "Diana fatigue" one year on from the princess's death.

More than two-thirds of respondents said marking the anniversary should be a matter of individual choice.

The royal family, the Spencers and the government have all said that Monday should be a personal rather than a national occasion.

Strong support for children's hospital idea

The poll also showed that a majority of people - 58% - believe the royal family are more in tune with the national mood since the death of the princess.

The findings revealed strong support for a national memorial to the princess, with 92% in favour of a new children's hospital.

The poll was conducted before Thursday's news that Birmingham Children's Hospital is to become known as the Diana, Princess of Wales Children Hospital, after the Queen and the Spencer family gave their blessing to the hospital's request.

But there is marked opposition to naming the August Bank Holiday, 'Diana Day', or establishing a joint memorial to the princess and Dodi Fayed.

And fewer than half of the people surveyed said they now thought of Diana as having unique qualities.

More people saw her as a woman with merits, but also faults.

Private day

This year's first anniversary will be a mainly private affair although some events are planned around the country and across the world.

The princes will be with their family on Monday

The princess's sons, William and Harry, will remember their mother in private prayer on the first anniversary of her death.

The teenage princes will be with their father, Prince Charles, and other senior members of the royal family when they attend Crathie Church on the Queen's Scottish estate at Balmoral on Monday.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie will join the royals.

Meanwhile, at Althorp, the princess's ancestral home in Northamptonshire, the Spencers will hold a family service overlooking the island where Diana was laid to rest.

In Paris, the life of Diana will be commemorated with a candlelit vigil at the scene of the fatal car crash.

At Harrods, in central London, owner Mohamed al-Fayed will unveil a statue in memory of Diana and his son Dodi, who died with the princess in the crash.