Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit Likely to Undergo Lung Transplant, Palace Says
The Crown Princess, diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, is undergoing assessments that point toward a transplant, with doctors not yet placing her on a waiting list as preparations proceed.
The Crown Princess of Norway is likely to need a lung transplant, the Royal Palace said on Friday, after a series of tests indicated a progression of her lung condition. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a disease in which scar tissue hardens the lungs and impairs their ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. Doctors at Rikshospitalet University Hospital have assessed whether she will require transplant surgery, while she continues to pursue royal duties under an adapted schedule. Officials emphasized that a decision on placing her on a waiting list has not yet been made, though preparations are underway to ensure that a transplant would be possible when the time comes.
The palace’s briefing noted that the medical team remains focused on balancing treatment with the Crown Princess’s public role. Rikshospitalet’s Professor and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Martin Holm, said the team is nearing a point where a transplant will likely be necessary, and they are taking the necessary steps to enable that option when required. Holm stressed that there has not yet been a formal decision about when, or if, she will be placed on a transplant waiting list. In the interim, Mette-Marit is following a targeted regimen of exercise, rest and physical rehabilitation designed to manage symptoms and maintain activity where possible.
In September, it was announced that the Crown Princess would not perform official duties in October while undergoing a month-long program of lung rehabilitation in Norway, although there were exceptions, including a dinner for members of Parliament at the Royal Palace on October 23. The palace indicated that she would resume her official work in November. This year has brought particular strain for the royal family beyond health concerns, with reporting noting that her son, Marius Borg Høiby, 28, faced charges involving multiple alleged offenses, and his trial was scheduled to begin in February the following year. He has denied the charges.
The health condition itself first became public in 2018, when the Crown Princess disclosed that her working capacity would vary to accommodate treatment. Medical officials have described the disease as pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that typically worsens over time. A physician involved in her care, Professor Kristian Bjøro of the National Hospital, has said that the progression of her particular variant has been slow. The Royal House has noted that, unlike many other forms of pulmonary fibrosis, this variant does not appear to be linked to environmental or lifestyle factors. The early detection of the disease is cited as improving her prognosis, even as the condition can limit daily life and shift how she participates in official duties.
Pulmonary fibrosis, as described by health authorities, involves scarring of the lung tissue that makes breathing increasingly difficult. While treatments can slow progression, they cannot cure the disease. Symptoms commonly include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss, with some patients developing clubbed fingertips. Officials stressed that the Crown Princess’s case has been monitored for several years and that the current emphasis remains on maintaining her health while fulfilling her public role as much as possible.
The palace’s updates reflect a careful effort to communicate a complex medical situation while preserving the ability of a high-profile royal to carry out duties where feasible. Health authorities emphasize that the prognosis for people with pulmonary fibrosis varies widely, depending on the underlying form of the disease, age, comorbidities, and response to treatment. For Mette-Marit, officials have highlighted that early detection and ongoing medical management have shaped the approach to her care, with the goal of preserving quality of life and public engagement as long as possible.
Health context aside, the global view of pulmonary fibrosis continues to stress the need for ongoing research and improved therapies. While current options can slow decline and alleviate symptoms for many patients, a cure remains elusive for most forms of the condition. The Crown Princess’s case has drawn attention to the challenges posed by rare variants of fibrotic disease and the ways in which high-profile patients navigate treatment schedules alongside demanding public duties.