Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been officially placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant, as confirmed by the royal palace. Suffering from an incurable lung disease, the princess, who is married to Crown Prince Haakon, has temporarily halted her official duties. She is scheduled to undergo the transplant surgery once a suitable donor becomes available. This development comes amidst public outrage in Norway regarding her connections with the late billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, as well as the ongoing rape trial of her son, Marius Borg Høiby.
Mette-Marit, aged 52, was diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. This condition results in breathing difficulties and the hardening of lung tissue, leading to impaired lung function. In a statement to Norway’s public broadcaster NRK in December last year, she expressed disappointment at the rapid progression of her illness, noting her inability to continue enjoying hiking trips with her husband. Subsequently, her health has deteriorated further over the past six months.
A spokesperson for the Norwegian royal family released a statement indicating the seriousness of the Crown Princess’s chronic lung disease. Following extensive medical evaluations, she has been added to the lung transplant recipient list due to the critical nature of her condition. Consultant and lung specialist Are Holm at Rikshospitalet emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that Mette-Marit’s health does not permit her to fulfill her regular duties, impacting the Crown Prince and the royal family’s schedules.
Professor Are Holm, a lung treatment specialist at Oslo University Hospital, highlighted a significant increase in scar tissue in the princess’s lungs over the past year. Lung function tests revealed a considerable decline in her respiratory capacity within the last three months alone. The sudden deterioration prompted her placement on the transplant list, although success hinges on various factors, including finding a suitable donor match.
Holm described the decision to include the crown princess on the transplant list as a last resort due to her severe illness and limited life expectancy. He emphasized the importance of patients being in good enough condition to withstand the physical toll of the transplant surgery. Meanwhile, her 29-year-old son, who faces charges of rape and serious assault, remains in custody pending a verdict expected in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, the crown princess’s health battle continues as she awaits a life-saving transplant, while her son’s legal fate hangs in the balance.