Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has successfully undergone a lung transplant, her medical team confirmed on Wednesday, offering hope after a significant decline in her health.
The 52-year-old future queen had been placed on the national transplant waiting list less than two weeks ago after doctors determined that a lung transplant was the only remaining treatment option for her life-threatening condition.
Mette-Marit has been battling pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, a chronic disease that causes scarring of the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult. In recent public appearances, she was seen using a nasal oxygen tube.
The surgery was performed at Oslo’s National Hospital, where the Crown Princess will remain for several weeks as she recovers. Due to Norway’s strict donor privacy laws, neither the date of the operation nor details about the donor have been disclosed.
In a statement, Arnt Fiane, head of thoracic surgery at the National Hospital, said the transplant had been successful.
“The lung transplant has so far been successful. I would like to thank everyone involved in the planning and implementation of the procedure,” he said.
Are Holm, head of the hospital’s pulmonary department, said doctors were pleased with her progress.
“We are very happy that everything has gone well so far. Like all transplant patients, the Crown Princess will remain at the hospital for several weeks to adjust medications, manage any complications and undergo rehabilitation,” he said.
The Royal House said it would provide a further update once Mette-Marit is discharged from hospital.
In a message released by the palace, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon expressed their gratitude for the support they have received.
“The Crown Prince and Crown Princess would like to thank everyone for their warm and kind messages. Your consideration means a great deal during this challenging time,” the statement said.
Crown Prince Haakon is expected to scale back some official duties to support his wife during her recovery.
The health update comes during a difficult period for Norway’s royal family. Just days earlier, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of two counts of rape.
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has returned to Norway from Australia to be closer to her mother. The 22-year-old, who had been studying at the University of Sydney, has transferred to the University of Oslo and is expected to take on a greater public role as the royal family navigates a challenging period.
The Norwegian royal family has faced intense public scrutiny in recent years, with health concerns and legal controversies placing unprecedented pressure on the monarchy.
However, the successful transplant marks a positive development for Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her family as she begins the long road to recovery.