Key facts
- Crown Princess Mette-Marit is on a lung transplant waiting list.
- Her health has deteriorated significantly in recent months.
- She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
- Oslo University Hospital will perform the transplant.
- Crown Prince Haakon cut short a visit to Japan to be with his wife.
- Princess Ingrid Alexandra returned to Oslo from Australia.
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant following a further deterioration of her health, the royal household announced. The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. This chronic disease causes scarring in the lungs, leading to reduced oxygen uptake. The palace stated that the Crown Princess has been placed on the list after thorough health examinations. Oslo University Hospital had previously indicated in December that a transplant would be necessary soon, though she was not yet on the recipient list at that time. Crown Prince Haakon recently cut short an official visit to Japan to return to his wife's side, and their daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, returned to Oslo from Australia. Professor Are Holm from Oslo University Hospital confirmed that the transplant will be performed as soon as possible. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere commended the Crown Princess for her openness about her condition, suggesting it could help others. The couple has postponed the celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary, originally planned for August. Around 30-35 lung transplants are performed in Norway annually, and the Crown Princess joins the existing queue like any other patient. The hospital stated the current waiting list is short. Up to 90% of lung transplant patients in Norway survive the first year after surgery, while around 55% are still alive after 10 years, according to the hospital's data.