A Royal But No Special Treatment: Norway Crown Princess Put On Waiting List For Lung Transplant

Last Updated:June 06, 2026, 17:28 IST

Norway Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, with pulmonary fibrosis, has been put on lung transplant waiting list.

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant after suffering a sharp decline in her health, doctors said on Friday.

Medical experts said the 52-year-old royal, who has lived with pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, likely has only about a year to live without the procedure, Reuters reported.

Doctors Warn Her Condition Has Worsened Dramatically

Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic condition that scars the lungs and gradually reduces their ability to absorb oxygen. Doctors at Oslo University Hospital had indicated last year that a transplant would soon become necessary, though she had not yet been added to the recipient list at that time.

In recent months, however, her condition has worsened significantly. Professor Are Holm of Oslo University Hospital described the situation as a “dramatic deterioration."

“It is a major and demanding operation, and you have to be sick enough to need it, while at the same time healthy enough to withstand the surgery and the difficult course of treatment," Holm told reporters, Reuters reported.

The Norwegian royal palace said the crown princess’s condition was “life-threatening".

The health crisis has prompted changes within the royal family. Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the throne, cut short an official visit to Japan to return home, while their daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, travelled back to Oslo from Australia, where she is studying.

Royal Family Alters Plans Amid Health Crisis

Hospital officials said Mette-Marit will be treated like any other patient on the transplant list. Norway carries out around 30 to 35 lung transplants annually, and the current waiting list remains relatively short.

“It has to be the right size, it must be the correct blood type, and we have to make sure that the recipient doesn’t have antibodies against the tissue type of the organ," Holm said.

“It’s about getting the right organ to the right person. This means that many factors have to align to increase the chances of success."

The royal couple have also postponed plans to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this August.

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Manisha Roy

Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish...Read More

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