Credited from: BBC
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been placed on a waiting list for a lung transplant following a significant deterioration in her health, according to the royal household. The 52-year-old has been battling pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease diagnosed in 2018 that impairs oxygen uptake due to lung scarring, and her condition has become life-threatening, necessitating the placement on the transplant list, as reported by Reuters, South China Morning Post, and BBC.
Medical professionals at Oslo University Hospital have indicated that Mette-Marit may have only about a year to live if she does not undergo the surgery soon. Professor Are Holm noted the ongoing decline in her lung function, which has been exacerbated by an increase in scar tissue, making the need for a transplant urgent, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.
The royal palace confirmed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit has suspended her official duties to focus on her health. Both her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, and their daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, have returned to Oslo, with the family prioritizing their time together during this challenging period, as reported by BBC and Reuters.
Furthermore, the royal couple has postponed their planned 25th wedding anniversary celebration due to the princess's condition, highlighting the personal impact of her health struggles. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere has praised her openness about dealing with her illness, which may inspire others facing similar challenges, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.