Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit receives a lung transplant after months of deteriorating health
The 52-year-old royal, diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, had been placed on a transplant waiting list only 12 days ago after her condition became life-threatening.
The transplant
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway underwent a lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet on Wednesday, the royal house announced. The 52-year-old had been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive disease that scars lung tissue and reduces oxygen uptake. Her health had worsened significantly in recent months, and on June 5 the hospital confirmed she had been placed on a waiting list for a donor organ.
The procedure was described as successful by multiple medical officials. Arnt Fiane, head of the hospital's cardiothoracic surgery department, said the transplant had been "successful so far" and that "everything has progressed favourably up to now." Professor Are Holm, head of the pulmonary department, added: "We are very pleased that everything has gone well so far."
The lung transplant has been successful so far. Everything has progressed favourably up to now.
The speed of the transplant surprised even experts. Aleksander Sekowski, information chief at Norway's organ donation foundation, told Aftenposten that the timeline was unusually fast. "Normally it is not like that," he said. "It was early. But when you are on the list, the phone can ring at any time. It is fantastic that they found a lung that fits so well."
Recovery and family response
Like all new transplant recipients, Mette-Marit will remain in hospital for several weeks. Holm described this as standard procedure to adjust medications, manage complications and conduct rehabilitation. The royal house said its next update would come when she is discharged.
Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne, will adjust his official schedule to be with his wife during her recovery. The couple's daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, returned home from her studies in Australia out of concern for her mother. Haakon had already been cancelling engagements in recent weeks and had shortened a trip to stay close to his wife. The family also postponed plans to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary in August.
Like all newly transplanted patients, the crown princess will remain at the hospital for several weeks to come.
The disease
Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring in lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath, coughing and reduced oxygen intake. The condition is considered incurable, and a transplant is normally considered only as a last resort when life expectancy without one is estimated at one to two years. In recent months Mette-Marit had been using a portable oxygen device at public appearances.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had praised the crown princess for being open about her condition, saying this could help others facing similar health problems.
A difficult year
Mette-Marit's health crisis unfolded alongside personal and public challenges. Her eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after being convicted of two counts of rape, which he denied, and other offences. Høiby is her son from a previous relationship and holds no royal titles or official duties, but his six-week trial drew intense media attention.
Separately, Mette-Marit faced renewed scrutiny over her past connections with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She apologised in February for the situation she put the royal family in, and in a March television interview said she had been manipulated and deceived by Epstein and felt unsafe during a 2013 encounter at his Palm Beach mansion. She is not accused of any wrongdoing.
- Diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung-scarring disease with no known cure.
- Crown Prince Haakon says the family has noticed a change in her condition and she is struggling more to breathe.
- Mette-Marit apologises publicly for the situation she put the royal family in regarding the Epstein connection.
- In a TV interview she says she was manipulated by Epstein and felt unsafe during a 2013 encounter at his Florida mansion.
- Placed on a lung transplant waiting list after significant deterioration; life expectancy estimated at one year without surgery.
- Son Marius Borg Høiby sentenced to four years in prison for two counts of rape; lawyers announce appeal.
- Undergoes successful lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet.
Public support
The crown princess and Crown Prince Haakon expressed gratitude for the many "warm and kind" messages of support they received. Mette-Marit, who was a 25-year-old unmarried single mother when she met Haakon at a music festival in 1999, has long been a figure of public affection in Norway. Her openness about her illness has drawn praise from across the political spectrum.
