Oslo, Norway – On December 19, 2025, the Norwegian Royal Household announced that Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon and future queen consort, is being prepared for a possible lung transplant following a significant deterioration in her chronic lung condition. The princess has been living with pulmonary fibrosis since her diagnosis was made public in 2018, a progressive disease that causes irreversible scarring of lung tissue, making it increasingly difficult for the body to absorb oxygen.
In an official statement released by the Royal House of Norway, it was revealed that medical tests conducted throughout the autumn of 2025 showed "a clear worsening" in the Crown Princess's health. "The physicians at Rikshospitalet University Hospital have therefore started the process towards an evaluation for potential lung transplant surgery," the statement read. Professor Are Martin Holm, head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Oslo University Hospital (Rikshospitalet), elaborated: "We are approaching the time when a lung transplant must be performed, and we are making the necessary preparations so that it will be possible when that time comes." Holm emphasized that no decision has yet been made regarding when, or if, the princess will be placed on the transplant waiting list.
Pulmonary fibrosis, often idiopathic in nature, leads to stiffening of the lungs, reducing their capacity and causing shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms that worsen over time. According to medical experts, while medications and therapies can slow progression, lung transplantation is considered a last-resort option for eligible patients with advanced disease. In Norway, the waiting list for lung transplants typically includes 20 to 40 patients, and local reports confirm that the Crown Princess would receive no preferential treatment if added to the list.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, Mette-Marit expressed her disappointment at the rapid progression of her illness. "I had hoped to keep this illness in check with medicines, and the progression has been quite slow, but now it's gone more rapidly than both I and the doctors had anticipated," she said. The Crown Prince added that the family has noticed tangible changes, stating, "We have seen that she is struggling more to breathe." Activities the couple once enjoyed together, such as hiking and skiing, are no longer possible due to her reduced lung function.
Despite the challenging prognosis, the palace statement underscored Mette-Marit's determination to continue her royal duties. She "has expressed a strong interest in continuing to carry out her duties," and her official program will be adapted "to her health situation to the greatest extent possible," including an increased need for rest and targeted physical rehabilitation. Just days before the announcement, on December 17, 2025, the Crown Princess appeared publicly alongside her husband and their children—Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18—during a visit to a nursing home in Oslo, demonstrating her commitment to public engagements.
The news has elicited widespread sympathy across Norway and internationally. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised the royal family's openness, telling NRK, "I think all of Norway wishes her all the best, and that she gets good treatment and a speedy recovery." He noted that her transparency could help raise awareness for others facing similar conditions.
Mette-Marit's health journey has been closely followed since her diagnosis in October 2018, when the palace first disclosed the chronic lung disease, noting that it would periodically limit her working capacity but that early detection offered a better prognosis. Over the years, she has scaled back engagements during flare-ups, including a month-long pulmonary rehabilitation in October 2025. An update in March 2025 had already indicated progression of the fibrosis, with daily symptoms affecting her ability to perform duties, yet she expressed a strong desire to continue working.
The potential transplant represents a major milestone in her battle with the disease. Professor Holm described lung transplantation as a "major and frightening operation" with significant risks, including the need for lifelong immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection. Success depends on factors like donor compatibility and the patient's overall condition at the time of surgery. He stressed the importance of timing: the procedure cannot be performed too early or too late in the disease progression.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit, born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in 1973, married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001 in a union that captivated Norway. A former commoner and single mother, she overcame initial public scrutiny to become a beloved figure known for her advocacy on issues like mental health, literature, and inclusion. She has three children: Marius Borg Høiby from a prior relationship, and the two younger royals with Haakon.
As preparations continue at Rikshospitalet—the only hospital in Norway performing lung transplants—the royal family has requested privacy while expressing gratitude for public support. Norwegians, known for their affection toward the monarchy, have rallied with messages of encouragement, highlighting the princess's resilience in the face of this serious health challenge.
This development comes at a time when the Norwegian royal family navigates other personal matters, but the focus remains firmly on Mette-Marit's well-being and the hope for a positive outcome in her treatment journey.
