Queen Sonja of Norway has described her daughter-in-law Crown Princess Mette-Marit's recovery from a lung transplant as 'fantastic', providing a major health update following the surgery last week.
Royal Family Confirms Successful Transplant
The 52-year-old Crown Princess, who has been battling pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, underwent the operation at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, had previously confirmed her worsening health. Earlier this year, Mette-Marit was seen wearing an oxygen mask during public engagements.
The Norwegian Royal Family confirmed in a statement that the princess was recovering well. Queen Sonja, speaking during an engagement in Kristiansand, Norway's sixth-largest city, told local media: 'It's simply fantastic. It's fantastic that it went so well.'
Medical Team Praises Successful Surgery
Head of Thoracic Surgery at Oslo University Hospital, Arna Tiane, said: 'So far, the lung transplant has been a success. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the team members who were involved in the planning and implementation.'
Are Holm, head of the Pulmonology Department, added: 'We are extremely pleased that everything has gone smoothly so far. Like the other newly transplanted patients, the Crown Princess will remain hospitalised at Rikshospitalet for the next few weeks. This is a routine procedure to adjust her medication, treat any complications, and carry out her rehabilitation.'
Royal Family Expresses Gratitude
An additional statement from the Royal Family read: 'Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit has undergone a successful lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet in Oslo. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess express their sincere gratitude for the many warm and kind messages they have received. This means a great deal to them at this challenging time.'
Family Faces Additional Challenges
The health update comes amid other family difficulties. Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, 29-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, was recently jailed for four years after being convicted of two counts of rape. Last week, judges found him guilty of raping two women, including one at the Crown Prince's estate at Skaugum in 2018 and another in Oslo in 2024. He was also convicted of abusing an ex-girlfriend but cleared of two further rape charges.
Prior to his conviction, reports from Hello! Magazine indicated that Marius had been 'consistently visiting his mother' and was allegedly 'smuggled' into Oslo University Hospital through a back entrance to avoid photographers.
