The Norwegian Crown is facing one of its most challenging periods. Since the start of the year, the family has been gripped by Marius Borg Høiby’s criminal trial, the son that Crown Princess Mette-Marit had before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. With the verdict due on June 15, Mette-Marit’s health has taken a serious turn: the palace confirmed this week that she has been placed on a waitlist for a lung transplant to treat her pulmonary fibrosis.
The news has prompted a swift reshuffling within the family, with Princess Ingrid Alexandra returning from Australia. Alongside her brother Prince Sverre Magnus, the two visited their half-brother Marius at Oslo Prison.
A Reunion in the Midst of a Family Crisis
Earlier this week, Mette-Marit was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, accompanied by Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Ingrid Alexandra. Following the visit, the palace announced that she had been placed on a lung transplant waiting list and that her upcoming royal engagements had been canceled.
According to lung specialist Are Holm of Rikshospitalet, her condition has deteriorated significantly, with a marked increase in scar tissue in her lungs over the past year.
© LISE ASERUDCrown Prince Haakon, who cut his state visit to Japan short by one day to return to his wife’s side, has also spoken publicly about her condition. “She’s gravely ill,” he said in an address to the public.
The deterioration of Mette-Marit’s health coincides with her son’s trial. Marius Borg has been held at Oslo Prison on remand as he awaits the June 15 verdict on 40 charges, including four counts of rape, abuse, threats, and restraining order violations. He has denied the most serious allegations.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, photographed visiting him for the first time since her return from Australia. She was joined by Prince Sverre Magnus, who has visited Marius with their parents on previous occasions.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesOslo Prison as Common Ground
The siblings were photographed arriving at the prison looking serious, with Sverre Magnus at the wheel and Ingrid Alexandra in the passenger seat. The visit lasted approximately seventy minutes. The details of their conversation remain private, though Mette-Marit’s condition was likely foremost in everyone’s minds.
Queen Sonja has also been dealing with health difficulties of her own. The 88-year-old queen consort was hospitalized in late May for atrial fibrillation and heart failure, before being discharged and continuing her recovery at home. She has since resumed her public duties, attending an exhibition opening at the Trondheim Art Museum.
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