A NORTH-EAST regiment sent a message of support to the King of Norway, as he prepared to undergo surgery for cancer in Oslo yesterday.

King Harald V, who is the Colonel in Chief of The Green Howards, needed treatment on his bladder, although the 66-year-old is expected to make a full recovery after three months of rest.

In the meantime, his elder son, Crown Prince Haakon, will act as regent.

The king has been the regiment's Colonel in Chief for 12 years and, before his illness was announced, was expected to present the prizes at the Infantry Nordic Skiing Biathlon Championships in Norway later this month.

The Green Howards have been Army biathlon champions for the last three years.

"The regiment values its long-standing links with the Norwegian royal family and we hope the king's recovery will be swift and complete," said acting regimental secretary, Major Brian Metcalfe.