Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, according to CNN. This continuously progressive disease damages and scars lung tissue, causing severe respiratory failure with no definitive cure.

The royal announcement on 5/6 stated that the crown princess will temporarily suspend all royal duties. Further updates on her health will only be released after the lung transplant surgery is complete. Following her discharge, she will undergo "a long period of rehabilitation and training." During the initial phase of this recovery, the royal family will temporarily not provide additional information, AP reported.

Are Holm, a lung specialist at Oslo University Hospital, told Norway's public broadcaster NRK that the crown princess's pulmonary fibrosis has significantly worsened over the past six months. Imaging results indicate that the amount of scar tissue has developed much more compared to last year. Holm added, "The general principle for placing a patient on a lung transplant waiting list is when the lung disease has progressed to such a severe extent that we have reason to believe the patient has a survival prognosis of only one year."

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway smiles during a reception for Norwegian athletes who competed at the Milan Cortina Paralympic Games (Paralympics 2026), held in Oslo on 10/4. Photo: Lise Åserud/NTB Scanpix

The doctor explained that the hospital has specific guidelines for prioritizing individuals on the waiting list. Therefore, it is currently impossible to predict the exact timing of the crown princess's surgery, as it entirely depends on when a "suitable donor organ" becomes available. However, he noted that the current waiting time is quite short, and the hospital is strictly adhering to the medical protocol for this case.

Mette-Marit's health condition has also affected her husband's schedule, according to Reuters. Crown Prince Haakon had to cut short his official visit to Japan to fly home early this week. The couple also decided to postpone their silver wedding anniversary celebration next August, and the crown princess will not participate in her planned trip to Norway next September.

"The Crown Prince will adjust his schedule in the coming period to spend more time with the Crown Princess," the palace stated. He will also limit domestic and international work trips before and after his wife's surgery.

Princess Ingrid Alexandra, the couple's daughter, has returned to Norway from Australia, where she was studying abroad. The palace stated that the princess will attend the autumn semester at the University of Oslo. Meanwhile, her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, is expected to begin his studies in Europe this autumn and "return to Norway whenever the situation requires."

Mette-Marit was a single mother before meeting Crown Prince Haakon at a music festival in 1999. She officially became crown princess two years later, following their wedding ceremony at Oslo Cathedral, witnessed by 800 guests and millions of television viewers.

The Norwegian royal family has recently faced intense media scrutiny. Marius Borg Høiby, the crown princess's son from a previous relationship, is currently facing trial on rape charges. Meanwhile, Mette-Marit also became embroiled in another controversy when confidential documents about Jeffrey Epstein were released, revealing her close relationship with the notorious sex offender.

By Binh Minh (based on reports from CNN and AP)