Just 12 days after being placed on the waiting list, 52-year-old Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit successfully underwent a lung transplant. The operation gave her a chance at a new life after several years of battling a severe illness that threatened her life.
The 52-year-old Crown Princess of Norway, Mette-Marit, has undergone a complex lung transplant operation. According to the royal court, the transplant, performed on June 17 at Oslo University Hospital, was successful. Now, the spouse of the heir to the throne faces several weeks of recovery under medical supervision.
The news has generated significant resonance not only in Norway but also far beyond its borders. This is not only due to the high status of the patient but also because donor lungs were found for her just 12 days after being placed on the waiting list.
The Disease Progressed for Several Years
Serious health issues for Mette-Marit became known back in 2018. At that time, doctors diagnosed her with chronic lung fibrosis — a condition in which the normal tissue of the organ is gradually replaced by scar tissue.
As a result, the lungs lose the ability to adequately supply the body with oxygen, making it increasingly difficult for the person to breathe even with minimal physical exertion.
In recent months, the Crown Princess’s condition has noticeably worsened. According to Norwegian media, doctors concluded that without a transplant, the prognosis was extremely unfavorable.
A Donor Was Found in Just 12 Days
Particular attention was drawn to the fact that a suitable donor organ was found in less than two weeks.
According to Are Holm, a professor of medicine at the University of Oslo, waiting times depend on many factors — blood type, organ size, and the urgency of the patient's condition.
“The organ goes to the patient for whom it is the best match and who needs help the most urgently,” the specialist explained.
The identity of the donor will remain unknown, as required by Norwegian law.
The Most Important Weeks Ahead
Although the operation was successful, doctors emphasize that the coming weeks will be crucial.
After a lung transplant, there is a risk of organ rejection, infections, bleeding, and other complications. Additionally, patients must take immunosuppressive medications for life.
Statistics show that about 85–90% of patients survive the first year after a lung transplant. Approximately 70–75% of patients are alive after five years, and about half of them reach the ten-year mark.
“The Chances for a Normal Life Are Very Good”
One of the first to comment on the operation was German singer Roland Kaiser, who has lived with transplanted lungs since 2010.
“The Crown Princess is still a relatively young woman. She will manage. Today, after a lung transplant, one can live a long and fulfilling life,” noted the musician.
From Single Mother to Future Queen
Mette-Marit’s story is often referred to as a modern Cinderella tale.
Before meeting Crown Prince Haakon, she was an ordinary girl from a middle-class family and raised her son alone. Their romance sparked heated discussions in Norwegian society, but over time, Mette-Marit managed to earn the respect and love of the country’s residents.
The couple’s wedding took place in August 2001, after which Mette-Marit became the Crown Princess of Norway.
A Difficult Period for the Royal Family
The Crown Princess’s illness coincided with serious family upheavals.
Two days before the operation, a court in Oslo sentenced Mette-Marit’s eldest son — 29-year-old Marius Borg Høiby — to four years in prison for several criminal offenses, including two counts of rape. This case became one of the most high-profile scandals in recent years within the Norwegian royal family.
Despite the difficult circumstances, palace representatives remain optimistic. New information about Mette-Marit’s health condition is promised to be published after her discharge from the hospital.
The lung transplant has become a chance for Mette-Marit to start a new chapter in her life. Although a long recovery period and constant medical monitoring lie ahead, doctors assess the Crown Princess’s prospects cautiously positively. Family support, a high level of medical care, and a successful operation provide grounds for hope that one of the most popular representatives of European monarchies will be able to return to active public life.
