Norway’s royal family has given a health update on Crown Princess Mette-Marit as she battles an incurable lung condition.
The 52-year-old, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, will likely need a lung transplant as her health has declined in recent months, the royal household said.
The princess said her illness had “developed faster” than she had hoped in a joint interview with her husband, Crown Prince Haakon.
Norway’s royal family has given an update on the Crown Princess as she battles an incurable lung condition. (Corbis via Getty Images)
“I have spent much of these past six months at Jessheim or at the National Hospital taking new tests, and then we have had a number of conversations this autumn about lung transplantation,” the Crown Princess said in an interview with public broadcaster NRK.
“We have known all along with this disease that that is the way it is going, but I think it came a little faster than I had imagined and hoped.”
The royal said that coming to terms with needing a transplant has “been a long process mentally.”
“I have always hoped that we would be able to keep the disease in check with medication, and the development has actually been quite slow up until now.”
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Crown Princess Mette-Marit She said coming to terms with needing a transplant has “been a long process mentally.” (Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB)
Crown Prince Haakon added that the family had noticed Mette-Marit struggling to breathe in recent months.
Professor Are Martin Holm of the Oslo University Hospital explained to the public broadcaster that her condition was deteriorating to the point of needing a transplant.
“The Crown Princess has had some such deteriorations during 2025, some clear deteriorations,” he said.
Crown Prince Haakon added that the family has noticed Mette-Marit struggling to breathe in recent months. (Getty)
“They are not very visible when you are standing still, but we can measure it, and we see it, it has been quite noticeable.
“The disease is currently so serious that we are starting to prepare how to deal with further deterioration. And then the only thing that can help is a transplant.”
The world was shocked to hear of the Crown Princess’ pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis in 2018.
The 52-year-old was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. (Getty)
She underwent pulmonary rehabilitation in October to help treat the illness, which saw her vanish from the public eye for some time.
”I should have done it a long time ago, but now is the time,” she said at the time.
“So I’m going to do it. Because I need a little more help than before to cope with daily life with pulmonary fibrosis.”
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The Crown Princess underwent pulmonary rehabilitation in October to help treat the illness, which saw her vanish from the public eye for some time. (Getty)
Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring on the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult.
According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, pulmonary rehabilitation is an exercise and education program that aims to improve symptoms and make everyday activities easier to do for those with the condition.
Last year, the Crown Princess was forced to extend her sick leave and absence from public life as her condition worsened. (Getty)
Mette-Marit pictured with husband Crown Prince Haakon and daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra in April. (Getty)
Last year, the Crown Princess was forced to extend her sick leave and absence from public life as her condition worsened.
She is married to Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon and they have two children together – Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
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