The Norwegian royal household announced that Crown Princess Mette‑Marit has received a lung transplant in Oslo after her disease worsened.
Diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, the princess’s condition had been deteriorating over recent months, forcing her to reduce public duties.
“We are delighted that everything has progressed well so far,” said lung specialist Are Holm, who cautioned that she will stay in hospital for several weeks for observation, a standard for transplant recipients.
Prince Haakon will temporarily adjust his schedule to support her recovery, the palace said.
The operation comes two days after her son Marius Borg Høiby was sentenced to four years in prison for rape (he pleaded guilty to lesser charges). His lawyers sought release to see her during this difficult time.
Historical context: the princess has previously apologized for a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein and admitted to “poor judgement” in a national TV interview.
Researchers note that about one in eight lung transplant patients do not survive the first year, while roughly half are alive after ten years, making the successful transplant a significant medical achievement.
Heartening news for the Norwegian royal family, the transplant underscores the princess’s resilience and the medical team's skill.
