Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit undergoes lung transplant

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a successful lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital and is recovering, the royal palace said Wednesday. The 52-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The condition causes scarring in the lungs and reduces oxygen uptake.

"Like all newly transplanted patients, the crown princess will remain at the hospital for several weeks to come," Oslo University Hospital Professor Are Holm said.

Hospital placed Mette-Marit on the transplant waiting list on June 5 after a significant deterioration in her health. Doctors estimated she would have only a year to live without the procedure. Crown Prince Haakon said in December that the family had noticed a change in her condition and that she was struggling more to breathe.

The surgery comes days after Mette-Marit’s 29-year-old son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, was convicted of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison. The palace said the next public update on her health will come only after she is discharged.

The crown prince and crown princess thanked the public for the warm and kind greetings they had received recently, the palace said.