Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been officially placed on a lung transplant waiting list, as confirmed by the royal palace. Suffering from an incurable lung disease, the princess, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, has halted her official duties and is awaiting the transplant surgery once a suitable donor is found. This development comes amidst public outcry in the country regarding her connection to the deceased billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and the ongoing rape trial involving her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, Mette-Marit, 52, faces challenges in breathing due to the formation of scar tissue that hardens the lungs, making normal breathing more difficult. She expressed disappointment last December, revealing that her illness progressed faster than expected, preventing her from enjoying hiking trips with her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. In the past six months, her health condition has deteriorated further.
A statement from the Norwegian royal family clarified the seriousness of Mette-Marit’s condition, stating that she is now on the lung transplant waiting list after thorough health assessments due to her life-threatening chronic lung disease. Dr. Are Holm, a consultant and lung specialist at Rikshospitalet, emphasized the critical nature of her condition and the necessity for a prompt transplant. Until the operation takes place, the princess will not be able to carry out her regular official duties, impacting the royal family’s programs and activities.
Professor Are Holm, known for his expertise in lung treatments at Oslo University Hospital, highlighted the significant increase in scar tissue in Mette-Marit’s lungs over the past year, leading to a rapid decline in her lung function. He stressed the urgency of the situation, indicating the need for a transplant due to the dangerous deterioration of her health. However, the success of the transplant depends on various factors, including finding a suitable donor match.
Describing the decision to place the crown princess on the transplant list as a last resort, Dr. Holm emphasized her critical condition and limited life expectancy. He noted that patients must be in good enough shape to withstand the physical toll of the operation. Meanwhile, as Mette-Marit awaits her transplant, her son, Høiby, aged 29, remains in custody pending a verdict in his trial, where he faces charges of four counts of rape and a serious assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty.