UK prime minister Rishi Sunak says he’s thankful King Charles’ cancer was ‘caught early’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak weighed in Tuesday on King Charles’ shocking cancer diagnosis, saying that he was thankful that the illness has been “caught early.”

Sunak told BBC Radio that he is “shocked and sad” to learn of the recently crowned British monarch’s cancer battle.

“Just all our thoughts are with him and his family,” the head of the British government said. “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.”

Although he will be postponing his public engagements for the duration of his treatment, Charles is planning to continue with much of his private work, including his weekly audience with the prime minister — and Sunak confirmed that he is in regular contact with the king.

“That will of course continue as normal and we’ll crack on with everything,” Sunak said, although he declined to say whether he would be meeting with the king face-to-face.

Buckingham Palace announced Monday that Charles, 75, who has been on the throne for less than 15 months, was suffering from a “form of cancer,” which was detected while he was undergoing a procedure for a benign prostate enlargement a week ago.

Beyond confirming it was not prostate cancer, the palace has not offered any more details on Charles’ condition.

“His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the statement from the palace said. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.”

Charles spent the night at his Clarence House home in London after beginning a series of outpatient treatments.

The king was remaining “wholly positive” and looking forward to returning to public work as soon as possible, according to palace officials.

Prince Harry is expected to arrive in London by midday local time to be by his father’s side, after racing to LAX Monday to catch an urgent flight.