Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit (52) has received a new lung. Around two weeks after the wife of Crown Prince Haakon (52) was placed on the waiting list, the transplant was able to take place. "The Crown Princess has undergone a successful lung transplant at Rikshospitalet in Oslo," the Royal House announced on Wednesday morning.
Royal House expert Tove Taalesen explained to "TV 2": "Probably none of us would have expected it to happen so quickly. She was barely on the waiting list." However, one must be aware of the severity of such an operation, she added: "There is still a long road ahead of her. Now it's about giving her the peace to adjust to a new life."
Palace made illness public in 2018
Mette-Marit has already endured difficult months. Her health condition is said to have deteriorated rapidly recently, after her illness, chronic pulmonary fibrosis, had initially progressed slowly. The Crown Princess's ordeal began almost eight years ago.
In October 2018, the Norwegian Palace announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit suffers from the chronic lung disease in which lung tissue becomes scarred. The Royal House stated at the time that she would temporarily make fewer public appearances in the future due to the illness.
The pulmonary fibrosis was apparently detected at an early stage, which would have a favorable effect on treatment, her doctor explained. Although the illness would temporarily limit her life, Mette-Marit said in 2018 that she was glad the pulmonary fibrosis had been discovered so early. She wanted to continue working as well as possible and participate in the official program.
Health condition worsened in recent months
However, the 52-year-old was repeatedly forced to cancel appearances in the following years. Among other instances, in fall 2023, the daughter-in-law of King Harald (89) and Queen Sonja (88) withdrew due to illness. In October 2024, she was also on medical leave for several days "due to side effects from the medications" that the Crown Princess had to take for her lung disease.
After further cancellations, the Palace stated in March 2025: Mette-Marit's chronic illness had progressed. "The Crown Princess suffers daily from symptoms and complaints that affect her ability to fulfill her duties," the court said. She needs "more rest" and therefore her daily schedule could also change more quickly than before. The Palace therefore announced that it could happen "more frequently and on shorter notice" that her schedule would change.
In September 2025, Mette-Marit had to cancel a planned USA trip due to her lung disease. She completed a one-month pulmonary rehabilitation instead. Since last December, it was finally confirmed that the Norwegian Crown Princess would have to prepare for a lung transplant. A court statement said: "In the fall, several tests were conducted that show a significant deterioration in the Crown Princess's health condition. The doctors at Rikshospitalet have therefore begun preparations for an examination with regard to a lung transplant."
The 52-year-old also spoke herself about having had "some conversations about a lung transplant" with the doctors in the fall. On the TV channel NRK, she revealed that it had been a long mental process for her. She had always hoped to keep the disease in check with medication. The development of the illness had progressed quite slowly until now. However, that had now changed. About an impending lung transplant, the princess said at the time: "With this disease, we've always known that it would go in this direction. But I think it came a bit faster than I had at least imagined and hoped."
The disease was restricting her more and more: "The biggest difference for me is actually that I can no longer manage the things I used to manage. There are simply very many things I can no longer do." Husband Haakon added that it was sometimes difficult to understand how ill she really was. In quiet moments, it could appear as if she were well. "But we see that she increasingly struggles with breathing. She has less strength and energy, gets ill more often - and that can come quite suddenly," said the Crown Prince.
Mette-Marit was dependent on oxygen device
In spring 2026, Mette-Marit then participated in a few selected events, but was already dependent on a mobile oxygen device. At the latest from early June, it was clearly visible how serious her condition was. Her daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22) came back from Australia, where she is studying, to support her mother. Haakon shortened a planned Japan trip.
On June 5, it was finally announced that Mette-Marit was on the waiting list for a lung transplant. According to the Norwegian "Dagbladet," life expectancy without a transplant was allegedly about one year - that is the requirement to even get on the list.
On June 17, the relieving news came that the 52-year-old had received a new lung. The Royal House announced: "The lung transplant has been successful so far." Like all other patients after a transplant, the Crown Princess will remain at Rikshospitalet for several more weeks, it was stated.
Haakon stands by his wife
This is a routine measure to adjust medication, treat any complications, and carry out rehabilitation measures, explained Are Holm, head of the responsible department at Rikshospitalet, in the statement. Crown Prince Haakon will adjust his program to be with the Crown Princess during this time, according to the Palace. The 52-year-old had already previously canceled appointments to be able to support his wife.
The Crown Prince couple has been married since 2001 and together have two children, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus of Norway (20). Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship remains in custody meanwhile. Marius Borg Høiby (29) was sentenced a few days ago to four years in prison in Oslo for, among other things, double violation. He intends to appeal the verdict.
