Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit is set to undergo a lung transplant following a marked decline in her health, the royal household confirmed on Friday, 19 December 2025.
A Deteriorating Condition
The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, has been living with pulmonary fibrosis since her diagnosis in 2018. This chronic illness causes scarring of the lungs, severely limiting their capacity to absorb oxygen. Recent medical examinations have revealed what the palace described as a "clear negative development" in her condition.
"I had hoped to keep this illness in check with medicines, and the progression has been quite slow, but now it's gone more rapidly than both I and the doctors had anticipated," the Crown Princess stated in an interview with Norway's public broadcaster, NRK.
Preparations for Transplant Surgery
Medical experts are now making urgent preparations for the necessary procedure. Professor Are Martin Holm of the Oslo University Hospital's pulmonary unit explained the situation in the official statement. "We are approaching the time when a lung transplant must be performed, and we are making the necessary preparations so that it will be possible when that time comes," he said.
The exact timing for placing Mette-Marit on the transplant waiting list has not yet been finalised, according to the palace. Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, noted the visible toll the disease has taken, telling NRK in a joint interview, "We have seen that she is struggling more to breathe."
Continuing Royal Duties Amid Treatment
Despite her increasing need for rest, the Crown Princess has expressed a "strong interest in continuing to carry out her duties." The palace assured the public that her official schedule will be carefully managed to accommodate her health needs as much as possible.
The news has drawn a wave of national support. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere commended Mette-Marit for her openness about her health battle, suggesting it could offer hope to others with similar conditions. "I think all of Norway wishes her all the best, and that she gets good treatment and a speedy recovery," Mr Stoere said.
Mette-Marit's journey to the crown has been unconventional. She was a 25-year-old unmarried single mother and a commoner when she first met Crown Prince Haakon at a music festival in 1999. Their romance, which initially sparked media controversy, ultimately captured the heart of the nation.
