Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has been photographed for the first time since undergoing a lung transplant in June, appearing in good spirits as she watched Norway's World Cup victory alongside her husband.
First public images after surgery
The 52-year-old royal, who suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, underwent the transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. The new photographs, released by the Norwegian Royal House on Instagram, show her curled up next to Crown Prince Haakon in the Royal Palace, both wearing Norwegian scarves and cheering on their national team.
One image captures the couple looking out a palace window, presumably at celebrations outside, while another shows them smiling together. This marks the first time Mette-Marit has been seen since her operation, though her discharge date has not been disclosed. Recovery from such major surgery typically involves several weeks in hospital.
World Cup excitement and royal support
The Norwegian Royal House shared the images with a caption: “The whole family followed the match with great excitement: the King and Queen from Mågerø, the Crown Prince and Princess from the Royal Palace, and Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus from the stadium in the United States. Congratulations to the national team, the coaching staff, and all of Norway for this extraordinary achievement!”
Norway defeated Brazil 2-1 on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The team is set to face England in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on July 11.
Health background
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been open about her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis, a progressive lung disease that led to her needing a transplant. The surgery was deemed necessary after her condition worsened. The royal family has requested privacy during her recovery, but the new images suggest she is recuperating well.
