The Norwegian Royal House delivered sobering news on Friday, confirming that Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health has taken a serious turn. Her chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a diagnosis she received in 2018, is now "worsening" to the point where she is being formally assessed for a potential lung transplant.
A Faster-Than-Expected Decline
In a candid interview with Norway's public broadcaster NRK on December 19, the 52-year-old royal shared the difficult reality of her situation. She revealed that the progression of her degenerative lung disease has accelerated beyond her expectations. "I have spent much of these past six months at Jessheim or at the National Hospital taking new tests, and then we have had a number of conversations this autumn about lung transplantation," Mette-Marit stated.
The Crown Princess, married to heir-to-the-throne Crown Prince Haakon, admitted that while a transplant was always a known possibility, its necessity arrived sooner than she had mentally prepared for. "We have known all along with this disease that that is the way it is going, but I think it came a little faster than I had imagined and hoped," she said, describing the acceptance process as a long mental journey.
The Impact on Royal Duties and Family Life
The palace first signalled a deterioration in her condition back in March, noting in a press release that she experienced daily symptoms affecting her duties and required more rest. By September, Mette-Marit stepped back from official engagements to undergo a month of pulmonary rehabilitation, resuming some responsibilities in November.
Despite the challenges, she has maintained a presence at key events, including:
- A Reading Club gathering.
- The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
- Hosting Christmas in the Palace Chapel with her husband and their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
- A pre-Christmas visit to an Oslo nursing home with her family just days before the health update was released.
The family has faced additional strain this year. In August, Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was charged with multiple counts including rape, with a trial set for January.
A Family's Resilience During a Difficult Time
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney but was home for the holidays, spoke to NRK in November about the family's struggles. "Of course it's difficult," she said. "Both for those of us who are around, for me as a sister and for mum and dad. And of course for everyone affected by the case."
The Crown Princess has been consistently supported by Crown Prince Haakon and their children throughout her health battle. Chronic pulmonary fibrosis, which causes scarring and stiffening of lung tissue, impairs breathing and oxygen intake into the bloodstream. While treatments can manage symptoms, there is currently no cure, making a transplant assessment a critical step for the future queen of Norway.
