UK prime minister says King Charles’s cancer was ‘caught early’

U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says King Charles III’s cancer was “caught early” as Britain’s monarch begins treatment following his diagnosis.

The cancer was discovered during a prostate procedure, Buckingham Palace announced Monday. Specific details about the type of cancer were not disclosed.

In a Tuesday interview with BBC Radio, Sunak said he was “shocked and sad” when he first learned of the 75-year-old king’s health battle.

“Thankfully, this has been caught early and now everyone will be wishing him that he gets … the treatment that he needs and makes a full recovery. I think that’s what we’re all hoping and praying for,” he said.

Sunak said he’s been “in regular contact” with the king, and “that will of course continue on as normal.”

“We’ll crack on with everything,” the prime minister said.

“Many families around the country who are listening to this will be touched by the same thing,” he added. “We’ll just be willing him on and hopefully we’ll get through this as quickly as possible.”

The Monday statement from Buckingham Palace said that Charles, who ascended the throne last year following the 2022 death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, remained “wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.”