Norway’s Crown Princess Undergoes Successful Lung Transplant
The Norwegian royal household confirmed that Crown Princess Mette‑Marit has successfully received a new lung in Oslo after a long battle with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis that began in 2018.
“We are delighted that everything has progressed well so far,” the hospital’s lung specialist Are Holm said. He added that the Princess would remain in the hospital for several weeks for routine observation, a standard protocol for transplant recipients.
Prince Haakon indicated that he would adjust his official schedule to support Mette‑Marit’s recovery. The transplant comes two days after her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison for rape offences, a case that has also attracted public attention.
The small ceremony is significant because the transplant “is very happy news for the Norwegian royal family and the Kingdom of Norway,” historic commentator Ole‑Jørgen Schulsrud‑Hansen said. He noted many are relieved the operation was successful.
Mette‑Marit was first diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018; the illness has forced her to step back from public duties. In 2023 her doctor warned her deterioration had become “dangerous,” prompting urgent transplantation.
The operation follows a difficult year for the royal family. In January documents revealed her frequent contact with Jeffrey Epstein, leading to a public apology and a national TV interview admitting she had “poor judgement.”
While the princess’s health improves, her family continues to navigate media scrutiny and legal challenges, with her son’s case and past Epstein association making headlines.
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