Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit on Lung Transplant List for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit is awaiting a lung transplant, the royal household has announced. The Princess, 52, who suffers from an incurable form of pulmonary fibrosis, has suspended her official duties. The operation will proceed once a suitable donor becomes available.

Mette-Marit was diagnosed with the rare lung disease in 2018. The condition causes breathing difficulties and scar tissue formation, which stiffens the lungs and impedes oxygen absorption into the bloodstream. Professor Are Holm, a lung specialist at Oslo University Hospital, stated that her condition has worsened considerably in the last six months, with a notable decline in lung function over the past three months alone. This deterioration is deemed 'dangerous', necessitating her placement on the transplant list.

This medical development unfolds amidst ongoing public attention surrounding her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is currently in custody awaiting a verdict in his rape trial. Høiby, 29, denies the most serious charges but has pleaded guilty to lesser offences. Norwegian media report that he has requested release from custody citing his mother's serious illness.

Furthermore, the Princess has recently faced renewed scrutiny over her association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Documents released by the US Justice Department in January detailed her contact with Epstein, leading Mette-Marit to express regret and apologise for 'poor judgement' regarding the meetings.