Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit Placed on Lung Transplant Waiting List as Health Deteriorates
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant after doctors reported a significant decline in her respiratory health linked to a rare and incurable lung disease.
The 52-year-old royal has been battling pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, a condition that causes progressive scarring of lung tissue, making it increasingly difficult to breathe and absorb oxygen. The illness has already forced her to scale back public duties over the past several years.
Doctors Report Sharp Decline
At a press briefing, lung specialist Are Holm of Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet said the Crown Princess’s condition had worsened notably in recent months. “There has been a significant increase in scar tissue over the past year, and lung function has declined considerably in the last three months,” Holm said.
He confirmed that her condition now meets the criteria for lung transplant listing, describing the disease progression as “serious” due to reduced lung capacity and oxygen intake. Pulmonary fibrosis gradually stiffens the lungs as scar tissue replaces healthy tissue, severely restricting breathing over time.
Why She Has Been Listed for Transplant
Doctors said placement on a transplant waiting list is reserved for patients in advanced stages of lung failure — typically those with limited life expectancy without surgery — but who are still stable enough to undergo a major operation.
A transplant depends on finding a suitable donor match in terms of blood type and organ size, and allocation is based on medical urgency. Officials noted that while waiting times have improved recently, outcomes remain uncertain.
Royal Duties Scaled Back
The Royal Court confirmed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit will be unable to carry out official engagements for the foreseeable future due to her condition. The development is also expected to affect the responsibilities of Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway and other members of the royal family.
The palace had previously signalled in December that a transplant might become necessary, as her health continued to decline.
Several planned engagements have already been adjusted, including the postponement of the couple’s silver wedding anniversary celebrations scheduled for August 2026. The royal couple will also miss the Swedish royal couple’s golden wedding anniversary in Stockholm.
Family Support During Health Struggles
Crown Prince Haakon recently returned early from an official trip to Japan to be with his wife. heir daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, also paused her studies in Australia and returned to Norway to support the family during this period.
In recent public appearances, the Crown Princess has been seen using supplemental oxygen support as part of her treatment.
A Difficult Period for the Royal Household
The health update comes amid an already challenging time for the Norwegian royal family. Earlier this year, media reports highlighted past contact between the Crown Princess and convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014, drawing public attention.
Separately, her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently on trial on rape charges, which he denies. A verdict is expected on June 15. His legal team had reportedly sought temporary release pending the verdict due to his mother’s condition, but authorities rejected the request, leaving the decision to the court.
As the Crown Princess begins this critical phase of treatment, the focus remains on her health, with official duties significantly reduced and family members stepping in to support royal responsibilities.
Comments are closed.