The Norwegian Royal Palace has announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit will likely require a lung transplant, marking a significant development in her ongoing health battle. The 52-year-old future Queen was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition, six years ago.
A Deteriorating Condition
Over the autumn, the mother-of-three and wife of Crown Prince Haakon underwent a series of medical tests. The results confirmed that her pulmonary fibrosis has progressed. This disease involves a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, which severely hinders their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.
Professor Martin Holm, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, stated on Friday: 'We are reaching the point where a lung transplant will be necessary, and we are undertaking the necessary preparations to ensure that this will be possible when the time comes.' He added that no decision has yet been made on when she will join the official transplant waiting list.
Balancing Treatment and Duty
The Crown Princess has expressed a strong desire to continue her royal duties under an adapted programme. To manage her condition, she follows a strict regimen of targeted exercise, rest, and physical rehabilitation. In September, the Palace announced she would take a month off from official engagements in October to focus on lung rehabilitation in Norway.
The statement noted there would be 'some exceptions', including a dinner for members of parliament at the Royal Palace on October 23. She was scheduled to resume her official work in November.
Her condition was first made public in 2018. At the time, Mette-Marit explained that the diagnosis meant her 'working capacity will vary' to accommodate treatment. She and the Crown Prince chose to be transparent to allow for planned periods of rest.
A Challenging Year for the Royal
This year has presented profound difficulties for the Crown Princess, extending beyond her health. In August, her 28-year-old son, Marius Borg Høiby, was charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape and assault, by a Norwegian prosecutor. He has vehemently denied all charges. His trial is set to begin on February 3, 2025, at the Oslo District Court and is expected to last six weeks.
Regarding her health, the Palace has provided further details on her specific diagnosis. While pulmonary fibrosis is incurable and typically worsens over time, Professor Kristian Bjøro noted that the disease progression in Mette-Marit's case had been slow for several years. The unusual variant detected in her lungs is not believed to be linked to environmental or lifestyle factors.
By March of this year, the Palace confirmed her symptoms—which can include breathlessness, a persistent dry cough, and extreme tiredness—were occurring daily, requiring her to take 'more rest'. The early detection of the disease in 2018 has been cited as a positive factor for her long-term prognosis.
