Norway’s Queen Sonja has broken her silence regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s recent lung transplant surgery. Mette-Marit, who is the daughter-in-law of the King and Queen, underwent the surgery due to her deteriorating health caused by pulmonary fibrosis. The Crown Princess has been struggling with this condition since 2018 and was often seen using an oxygen mask during public appearances earlier this year.
In a statement released by the Norwegian Royal Family last week, it was confirmed that the 52-year-old royal is recovering well post-surgery. Queen Sonja expressed her joy and relief while talking to local media in Kristiansand, the sixth-largest city in Norway, saying, “It’s simply fantastic. It’s fantastic that it went so well.”
The successful lung transplant was acknowledged by Head of Thoracic Surgery at Oslo University Hospital, Arna Tiane, who praised the medical team for their efforts. Mette-Marit will continue her recovery at Rikshospitalet for the next few weeks to adjust medications, address any complications, and undergo rehabilitation, as stated by Are Holm, the head of the Pulmonology Department at the hospital.
A statement from the Royal Family conveyed the gratitude of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit for the warm messages received during this challenging time. The Queen’s comment came amidst news of Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, being sentenced to four years in prison for rape charges involving two women.
Before his conviction, Marius had been reportedly visiting his mother regularly and was said to have been discreetly entering the hospital to avoid media attention.