OSLO, June 17, 2026: The Crown Princess Mette-Marit lung transplant was confirmed by Norway’s Royal House on Wednesday, roughly two weeks after she was placed on a transplant waiting list as her health continued to decline. The 52-year-old underwent a successful double lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, where she will remain for several weeks during her recovery.
What the Royal House Said
The Royal House confirmed the princess’s surgery had gone well. Arnt Fiane, head of the hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery unit, said in a statement, “We are very pleased that everything has gone well so far.”
The princess was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a progressive disease that causes scar tissue to build up in the lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. The condition can worsen over time and often requires ongoing medical management.
A Decline That Played Out in Public View
Mette-Marit’s health had visibly deteriorated in recent months, with the princess photographed wearing an oxygen tube while carrying out royal duties. In December 2025, the Royal House first signaled that a transplant would eventually be necessary, describing a “clear worsening” of her condition following a series of tests. By March 2026, her health had declined further, forcing her to scale back her schedule and reduce public engagements.
Earlier this month, doctors confirmed she required a double lung transplant, and she was formally placed on the organ donation waiting list. Norway’s healthcare system does not grant royals priority access to donor organs, allocating them strictly based on medical urgency and donor-recipient compatibility.
A Royal Family Already Under Strain
The princess’s surgery comes during a challenging period for Norway’s royal family, marked by both her ongoing health battle and recent legal troubles involving her eldest son.
On Monday, just two days before her transplant was announced, a Norwegian court convicted her eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, of rape and other crimes, sentencing him to four years in prison. Høiby, 29, has asked the court to release him while he appeals the conviction, citing his mother’s illness.
Earlier this year, the princess also faced scrutiny after newly released files revealed the extent of her past friendliness with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Mette-Marit later issued a public apology, saying she had been “manipulated and fooled” and acknowledging what she described as poor judgment in her dealings with Epstein. The royal family did not attend Høiby’s court proceedings.
Who Is Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne, and the couple share two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. She is expected to become Norway’s queen when Haakon eventually succeeds his father, King Harald V.
FAQ — Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Lung Transplant
What condition did Crown Princess Mette-Marit have?
She has pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease that causes scarring in the lungs and makes breathing increasingly difficult. She was diagnosed in 2018.
Was the lung transplant successful?
Yes. The Royal House and her medical team confirmed the surgery went well, though she will remain hospitalized for several weeks during recovery.
How long was she on the transplant waiting list?
She was formally placed on the waiting list earlier in June 2026, with the transplant taking place roughly two weeks later.
Did Crown Princess Mette-Marit receive priority for the transplant?
No. Norway’s healthcare system allocates donor organs based on medical urgency and compatibility, regardless of a patient’s royal status.
What other challenges has the Norwegian royal family faced recently?
Her eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, was convicted of rape and sentenced to four years in prison just days before her transplant. The princess also publicly apologized earlier this year over her past connections to Jeffrey Epstein.
