Norway’s Princess Mette-Marit has been out a few times in the past month, alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. For months now, whenever Mette-Marit has been seen publicly, she’s worn a breathing tube. That’s because her health has declined rapidly in the past few years, as she’s been dealing with chronic pulmonary fibrosis. I would imagine that the extreme stress she’s been under recently hasn’t helped her condition. Back in February, her son Marius stood trial for multiple violent crimes against women, and the verdict in Marius’s case is expected in June. Additionally, Mette-Marit has made additional BS apologies this year, because all of her lies about Jeffrey Epstein have been exposed. She had a relationship and friendship with Epstein for years in the 2010s, and in a recent interview, she was way too eager to give herself a pass on both the relationship and her lies. Well, Prince Haakon has given an update about his wife’s health.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway is “seriously ill,” according to her husband, Crown Prince Haakon. The heir to the Norwegian throne, 52, spoke with reporters during an outing on May 26, where he gave a health update on his wife, also 52, who was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
“The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately,” he said, according to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “So I am worried about her health.”
“These six months have gone pretty well, I think. But there are different phases. So we just have to try to solve it as best we can,” the prince added.
During several recent public appearances, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been photographed wearing a nasal cannula, or oxygen breathing tube. When asked if she would be put on a lung transplant list, Crown Prince said that was “up to the doctors.”
“It’s a medical question. So they’re the ones who decide when it should happen, when it’s right,” he noted. “But I think she’s gotten a lot worse lately, unfortunately.”
Haakon and Mette-Marit married in 2001 and share two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 20. The Crown Princess is also mother to Marius Borg Høiby, 29, from a previous relationship. In addition to her health, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also dealing with other stressors.
On Feb. 3, Høiby pleaded not guilty to four charges of rape and to other charges of filming women without their consent. In total, he is facing 38 charges of alleged sexual abuse and assault brought by multiple women. Last week, the Norwegian Supreme Court rejected Høiby’s request to return home and live with his mother at the royal residence of Skaugum as he awaits sentencing on June 15.
I believe Haakon and I believe Mette-Marit’s condition is quite poor. It doesn’t appear like she can even stand for much longer than a few minutes. I’m sure that the people around her are concerned about what Marius’s verdict will do to her health, especially if he’s convicted of all (or even most) of the charges. Which I think will happen. Last year, they said that Mette-Marit would likely need a lung transplant, but as far as I can tell, she hasn’t been placed on the transplant waiting list. Haakon is saying as much in these comments, that she’s still being evaluated for a transplant, not that she’s on the lung transplant list.


Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.
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Royals during the celebrations of the National Day at the residence in Skaugum
Featuring: Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Where: Oslo, Norway
When: 17 May 2026
Credit: Mischa Schoemaker/Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images**NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
- Paris, Frankreich: Handball Olympia Frauen – Finale – Norwegen – Frankreich v.li. Kronprinzessin Mette-Marit von Norwegen, Kronprinz Haakon von Norwegen, Lille Stade Pierre Mauroy Frankreich *** Paris, France Handball Olympic Womens Final Norway France from left Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Lille Stade Pierre Mauroy France,Image: 897675777, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Marco Wolf/Avalon
- Kronprinz Haakon von Norwegen, und Kronprinzessin Mette-Marit von Norwegen, aufgenommen im Rahmen des Festaktes zu 25 Jahren Nordische Botschaften in Berlin, 21.10.2024. / Fotografiert im Auftrag des Auswaertigen Amtes. Berlin Deutschland *** Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway, photographed at the ceremony to mark 25 years of Nordic embassies in Berlin, 21 10 2024 Photographed on behalf of the Federal Foreign Office Berlin Germany Copyright:,Image: 924489593, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: Florian Gaertner/Avalon
- Kronprinzessin Mette-Marit von Norwegen und Kronprinz Haakon von Norwegen bei der Ankunft zum Abendessen anlässlich des 25. Jubiläums der Nordischen Botschaften im Schloss Bellevue. Berlin, 21.10.2024 *** Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arriving for dinner on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies at Bellevue Palace Berlin, 21 10 2024 Foto:xF.xKernx/xFuturexImagex abendessen_bellevue_4003,Image: 924768925, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Frederic Kern/Avalon
- Berlin, Deutschland, 21.10.2024: Schloss Bellevue: Abendessen anlässlich des 25. Jubiläums der Nordischen Botschaften: Mette-Marit Kronprinzessin von Norwegen und Victoria von Schweden *** Berlin, Germany, 21 10 2024 Schloss Bellevue Dinner on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Nordic Embassies Mette Marit Crown Princess of Norway and Victoria of Sweden Copyright: xdtsxNachrichtenagenturx dts_49653,Image: 924881930, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/dts Nachrichtenagentur/Avalon
- Crown Prince Haakon of Norway attends a press conference titled ‘EUR 925 million for Poland – Signing of agreements as part of 4th edition of EEA and Norway Grants for 2021-2028’ at the Ujazdowski Castle in Warsaw, Poland, 23 April 2025.,Image: 991129011, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: POLAND OUT, Model Release: no , Credit line: Radek Pietruszka/PAP/Avalon
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Oslo, NORWAY **FILE PHOTOS** Marius Borg Hoiby, 28, is under investigation for three rapes and 20 additional offenses following his arrest in August 2024. His lawyer denies the rape charges, while he has admitted to assault and vandalism, citing substance abuse issues. The case is now with prosecutors to determine possible charges.
Pictured: Marius Borg Hoiby
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Royals during the celebrations of the National Day at the residence in Skaugum
Featuring: Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Where: Skaugum, Norway
When: 17 May 2026
Credit: Mischa Schoemaker/Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images**NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
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Royals during the celebrations of the National Day at the residence in Skaugum
Featuring: Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Where: Skaugum, Norway
When: 17 May 2026
Credit: Mischa Schoemaker/Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images**NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
