Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit is recovering after undergoing a lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital, the Norwegian royal household confirmed. The procedure was performed earlier this week and involved consultations with medical specialists from the United Kingdom, including physicians who have attended the British royal family.
The 50-year-old princess has lived with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease, since 2018. Her condition deteriorated in recent months, prompting the decision for a transplant. The palace stated that the surgery proceeded without complications and that the princess is now in a stable condition in intensive care. She will remain hospitalised for several weeks to monitor for rejection and infection.
Norwegian royal officials disclosed that they sought advice from the Royal Medical Household in London, a team of doctors who manage the health of the British monarchy. The specific nature of the consultation remains private, but such collaboration is not unprecedented. European royal families often coordinate on complex medical cases, sharing expertise across borders.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the Norwegian throne. The couple have three children, and the princess has been a prominent advocate for global health and humanitarian issues. Her illness first became public in 2018 when she revealed her diagnosis, noting that it would require lifelong treatment and might necessitate a transplant.
The palace has asked for privacy during her recovery. King Harald V and Queen Sonja visited the hospital this morning. The crown prince has taken a leave of absence from official duties to be at his wife’s side.
Medical experts note that the average waiting time for lung transplants in Norway is between three and six months, with some patients waiting up to a year. The princess was placed on the waiting list in late 2023. The identity of the donor has not been disclosed, in line with Norwegian transplant regulations.
The British royal family has not issued a public statement, but a source close to the household confirmed that doctors from the Royal Marsden Hospital and the King’s physician were informally consulted. The practice of royal medical consultation between European courts dates back centuries, though modern protocols ensure patient confidentiality is maintained.
Norwegian health authorities declined to comment on the specific case but emphasised that organ transplant procedures in the country meet high international standards. Oslo University Hospital is a leading transplant centre, performing around 30 lung transplants annually.
The crown princess’s recovery is expected to take several months. She will remain under close observation for signs of organ rejection, which occurs in 20 to 30 per cent of lung transplant recipients within the first year. Her public engagements have been cancelled indefinitely. The Norwegian royal house will provide updates as her condition allows.
The news has drawn attention to the broader issue of organ donation. The crown princess has previously encouraged Norwegians to register as donors. The country has one of the highest organ donor registration rates in Europe, at over 60 per cent of the adult population.
This breaking story will be updated as further details emerge.
