On June 17, the Norwegian royal family announced that Princess Mette-Marit, 52 years old, had undergone a successful lung transplant. Almost a month after that operation, good news continues to arrive for the wife of Haakon of Norway: she has been discharged and can now return to the Skaugum palace, with her husband and children. In a statement issued by the Nordic institution, it is Mette-Marit of Norway who provides the update. “I am deeply grateful. Above all, I want to thank everyone who decides to donate organs. Thanks to organ donation, I have received the gift of my life. I lack the words to express my deep gratitude and humility,” begins the statement published on the palace website.
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“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this long journey: my family, the doctors, surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists, and other healthcare professionals, as well as all those who contribute invaluable support to the Norwegian healthcare system every day,” the princess continues to explain.
The future queen of the Nordic country was diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic disease that has affected her daily life and royal duties. In the past year, her condition had worsened to the point that her medical team began considering the possibility of undergoing a lung transplant. “I want to send a very special greeting to my friends living with fibrosis. They have been extraordinary during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Living with fibrosis is not for everyone, and not a day goes by without me thinking about their strength,” she explains. And she concludes: “I deeply appreciate the affection and consideration I have received from so many people throughout Norway during my illness. They have given me strength when I needed it most. Thank you very much.”
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Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, also wanted to thank the medical team for their support and work. “It is a great relief to have the princess back home after her discharge from the hospital. We are all very happy that the initial phase went so well. We are also very impressed with Oslo University Hospital. While we know a long recovery period lies ahead and complications may arise, we are very satisfied to have come this far,” says the first in line to the throne.
Are Holm, head of the Respiratory Medicine department at Oslo University Hospital, has shared more details about her progress, which, although positive, is only the beginning of the recovery process: “The health status of the crown princess is as good as can be expected given the circumstances. Over the next six months, the princess will undergo physical rehabilitation and will be closely monitored for possible complications, including rejection and infections. In an uncomplicated recovery, it usually takes about a year before the patient’s condition enters a more stable phase.”
The statement issued by the Norwegian royal family confirms that Mette-Marit of Norway will not carry out official acts during the rehabilitation period, so she is not expected to return until at least six months from now. They also state that Haakon of Norway will continue fulfilling his official commitments during this time but will adjust them to spend time with his wife.
On July 5, the princess left the hospital for a few hours to enjoy the match between the national team and Brazil in the company of Haakon of Norway. After the victory that gave them passage to the quarterfinals, the Norwegian royal family shared the first images of her after the operation.
The discharge comes hours after it was confirmed that the Oslo District Court allowed her eldest son, Marius Borg, to serve four weeks of his sentence at home, with his family. And he will do so with an electronic ankle bracelet. “My family has gone through a very difficult time. The whole family is supporting my mother. Not being able to participate in supporting my mother is incredibly hard. It is a long and incredibly demanding process. My whole family is at home and involved in the rehabilitation; being on the sidelines is incredibly tough,” explained the person sentenced to four years in prison before Monday’s hearing. He also explained that in recent weeks he could only leave the high-security Ila prison near Oslo for 45 minutes.
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