King Charles’ relevance to Australia is routinely behind the push by republicans here to have him ousted as head of state.
But this week, he dished out a lesson in just how pertinent he can make his royal role; the evidence seen in the long line-up of males seeking prostate checks in countries across the globe.
Google searches on ‘prostate’ also increased 1000 per cent; after all, if the King’s prostate was underperforming, perhaps it was time to check our own.
This phenomenon is not new. Kylie Minogue’s breast cancer diagnosis at 36 – in 2005 – prompted a surge in mammograms by younger women.
When Shane Warne died of a heart attack less than a year ago, cardiologists cited a strong spike in new patients; men of a similar age wanting to rule out a similar prognosis.
The “King Charles effect’’ no doubt will save lives because it’s an organ and a condition we don’t like to talk too much about.
But it goes further than that. It........