Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has successfully undergone a lung transplant at Oslo’s Rikshospitalet University Hospital, the palace announced; the operation was performed after her condition worsened over several months due to cystic fibrosis, a hereditary disease diagnosed in 2018.

Medical Update and Recovery Process

According to a statement from the royal house, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess expressed their sincere gratitude for the numerous messages of support they have received. The princess will remain hospitalized for several weeks as she adjusts to her new lungs, receives medication, and undergoes rehabilitation, a standard procedure following such transplants. Are Holm. Head of the Department of Pulmonology at Rikshospitalet, confirmed that the operation has proceeded without complications so far.

Arnt Fiane. Head of the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the hospital, added that the transplant has been a success and thanked the medical team involved in the procedure. On June 5. The royal house had announced that the princess had been placed on the waiting list for a compatible lung, with her daughter Ingrid returning home from university in Australia as an indication of the gravity of the situation.

Public and Political Reactions

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre praised Mette-Marit for being open about her illness, stating that her transparency could help others with similar conditions. The Crown Prince had previously noted in December that the family had observed a change in her condition and that she was experiencing more difficulty breathing.

Public support for the monarchy has fluctuated recently amid several controversies. A Norstat survey in February showed support for retaining the monarchy had dropped to a record low of 60% during the trial of Johan Hoiby, a former royal bodyguard convicted of sexual abuse. By May, support had slightly recovered to 64%, according to the same survey.

Background and Royal Scandals

Mette-Marit met Crown Prince Haakon at a music festival in 1999 when she was 25, an unmarried single mother and a commoner, and their relationship sparked initial media controversy but eventually won over much of the public. However, the royal family has faced multiple scandals this year, including Mette-Marit’s past contact with late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whom she described as a friend. She later cut ties with him several years before his death in 2019 and apologized to the king and queen.

The royal family has been under increased scrutiny in recent months, with the Hoiby trial dominating headlines, as Despite these challenges, the palace said the public’s messages of support have been a meaningful source of comfort during this difficult time for the family.