Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has received new lungs in a transplant her doctors call successful — but the royal family's relief is shadowed by another crisis.

The 52-year-old, who has a rare lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis, got the transplant at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet. Her doctors had warned in early June that without new lungs, she had less than two years to live.

"We're delighted that everything has progressed well so far," said Are Holm, a lung specialist at the hospital, in a palace statement. Mette-Marit will stay in hospital for several weeks, as is standard for transplant patients.

Her condition had worsened sharply over the past six months. She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018 — an illness that scars the lungs and makes it harder to breathe. The transplant was a last resort.

Crown Prince Haakon, who'll one day become king, is cutting back his public duties to be with his wife. The palace said he'll spend more time at her bedside.

But the good news came just two days after a different blow. On Monday, an Oslo court sentenced Mette-Marit's 29-year-old son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, to four years in prison. He was convicted of two counts of rape and 32 other offences.

Hoiby has denied the most serious charges. His lawyers say they'll appeal.

Mette-Marit has no biological children with Haakon, but she has two stepchildren — Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus — from his side. Hoiby, who doesn't hold a royal title, has largely stayed out of public life.

The palace hasn't commented on the sentencing. But the timing means Norway's future queen is recovering from major surgery while her eldest son faces prison.

Pulmonary fibrosis has no cure. The transplant gives Mette-Marit a chance at years of normal breathing — but she'll need lifelong medication to stop her body rejecting the new lungs.

"Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess will remain admitted to Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet for several weeks to come."

For now, the palace is asking for privacy. The Crown Princess is expected to remain in hospital through July.

  • Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, received a lung transplant on June 17, 2026
  • She has pulmonary fibrosis, diagnosed in 2018
  • Her condition deteriorated over the past six months
  • Doctors put her on the transplant waiting list on June 5
  • Without new lungs, doctors said she had less than two years to live
  • Her son Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, was sentenced to 4 years in prison on June 15 for rape and 32 other offences
  • Hoiby plans to appeal the conviction