Crown Prince Haakon has disclosed that his wife's health has deteriorated considerably, describing the future Queen of Norway as "seriously ill" during remarks to journalists following the Abel Prize ceremony in Oslo on Tuesday.
The 52-year-old Crown Princess Mette-Marit now relies on supplemental oxygen as part of her daily routine, which Haakon noted provides some relief.
The heir to the Norwegian throne stated: "The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately. So I am worried about her health,"
He added: "She uses oxygen in her everyday life, and that helps a bit," he explained, adding that the past six months had progressed reasonably well despite varying phases of the illness.
Princess Mette-Marit received her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis in 2018.
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Mette-Marit received her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis in 2018, and the Palace confirmed last autumn that her condition had worsened.
She has since been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant, though the precise timing remains uncertain.
"It's up to the doctors, it's a medical question," Crown Prince Haakon said. "So they're the ones who decide when it should happen, when it's right. But I think she's gotten a lot worse lately, unfortunately."
Martin Holm, Professor and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, previously stated: "We are reaching the point where a lung transplant will be necessary, and we are undertaking the necessary preparations to ensure that this will be possible when the time comes."
The Crown Princess made her most recent public appearance on May 17 for Norwegian Constitution Day at the royal residence Skaugum, situated near Oslo.
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The Crown Princess made her most recent public appearance on May 17 for Norwegian Constitution Day at the royal residence Skaugum, situated near Oslo.
During the celebrations marking the 1814 signing of Norway's constitution, she was photographed wearing a nasal breathing device and using oxygen equipment.
At one point during the festivities, Mette-Marit was seen seated on a stool, flanked by Crown Prince Haakon and their 20-year-old son, Sverre Magnus.
The annual occasion is traditionally celebrated across Norway with military processions, flag-waving, musical performances, food, and widespread public festivities.
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease with no cure, causing scarring of the lungs that makes breathing increasingly difficult over time.
The Norwegian royal household has endured a challenging period beyond Mette-Marit's illness.
Queen Sonja, 88, has stepped back from official duties owing to heart fibrillation, a condition causing irregular heartbeat.
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