OSLO – Crown Princess Mette-Marit (52) of Norway has undergone a successful lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, the palace announced on Wednesday.
The operation marks a critical turning point for the princess, who has battled pulmonary fibrosis since her diagnosis in 2018. The chronic lung condition causes scarring of lung tissue and severe shortness of breath.
“In accordance with standard practice, the Crown Princess will remain admitted to Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet for several weeks to come,” said Are Holm, a lung specialist at the hospital.
The palace statement did not specify the exact date of the procedure.
Mette-Marit’s condition had deteriorated significantly over the past six months. On 5 June, her medical team announced she had been placed on the transplant waiting list. Doctors confirmed the procedure was a last resort, typically reserved for patients with less than two years to live without new lungs.
Pulmonary fibrosis damages and thickens the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli and surrounding tissue. This stiffening prevents oxygen from passing properly into the bloodstream. In recent public appearances, the crown princess was seen with a breathing tube connected to an oxygen device carried by a palace employee.
Crown Prince Haakon, who will one day succeed his father King Harald (89), will reduce his public engagements to spend time with his wife. The couple’s daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22), has interrupted her social sciences studies at the University of Sydney to return to Oslo. She plans to continue her studies in the Norwegian capital throughout autumn.
The royal couple’s silver wedding anniversary celebration, scheduled for August, has been postponed.
The health crisis comes during a difficult period for the Norwegian royal family. On Monday, Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby (29), was sentenced to four years in prison by an Oslo court. He was convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other offences following a six-week trial in February and March.
Hoiby, who does not hold a royal title, has denied the most serious charges. His lawyers have indicated they will appeal the verdict. He has been held in custody since February and repeatedly requested release to be at his mother’s bedside, but courts denied each application.
In January, released documents revealed Mette-Marit had maintained frequent contact with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. The revelation shocked many Norwegians.
Despite recent scandals, the monarchy retains broad public support. A poll published in May showed 64% of Norwegians back the institution.
Royal expert Ole-Jorgen Schulsrud-Hansen told AFP that the family could now find some peace following the surgery.
“This has of course been a turbulent period, but overall, the royal family has retained the public’s sympathy given the crown princess’s condition,” he said.
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