Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's Health Has 'Deteriorated,' and She Won't Participate in Upcoming State Visit
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's Health Has 'Deteriorated,' and She Won't Participate in Upcoming State Visit
Helen MurphyWed, March 18, 2026 at 4:52 PM UTC
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Crown Princess Mette-Marit in 2025.Credit: Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Getty -
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health has worsened, and she will not participate in an upcoming state visit from Belgium
The royal was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018
Crown Prince Haakon's wife hasn't made any public appearances since January
Crown Princess Mette-Marit's health has "deteriorated," the Royal House of Norway said amid her public absence.
The wife of Crown Prince Haakon hasn't made a public appearance since January, and she won't participate in Norway hosting a state visit from Belgium next week.
"The Crown Princess's health has deteriorated, which is why she is not currently listed in the program for the state visit," Guri Varpe, the head of communications at the Norwegian Royal Palace, told Norwegian outlet NRK.
The visit will include a welcoming ceremony, a wreath laying ceremony, a gala dinner and more throughout the week. Crown Prince Haakon will attend the majority of the events, according to the Royal House of Norway's official site.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed in 2018 with chronic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes scarred, making it more difficult for the lungs to function. The condition can worsen over time and has no known cure.
Earlier this month, Varpe had told Norwegian outlet TV2 that there had been a "negative development" in Mette-Marit's health and that "preparations have begun with a view to an assessment for a lung transplant."
"The Crown Princess has an increasing need for tailored training, rest and recovery, and her official program is adapted to her health condition," Varpe added.
Crown Princess Mette- Marit and Crown Prince Haakon in 2024.Credit: Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty
The Royal Palace first confirmed that Mette-Marit's condition had escalated in a December 2025 statement.
"Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. This disease involves a buildup of scar tissue to the lungs, which makes it more difficult for the lungs to carry oxygen into the bloodstream. During the autumn, a number of tests have been carried out that show a clear worsening of the Crown Princess’ health," said the statement released on Dec. 19.
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In October 2025, Mette-Marit took time off to undergo pulmonary rehabilitation. She told the press shortly before that she was undergoing the program because she needed "a little more help than before to cope with daily life."
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Mette-Marit is also facing other complications in her personal life. Her son, Marius Borg Høiby, is currently on trial in Oslo on 38 charges, including four counts of rape. The trial is expected to end this week, though it could take months for the judges to make their decision, according to The Guardian.
Marius is Mette-Marit's son from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. He does not hold a working royal role or have a place in the line of succession. The palace previously shared that his mother and stepfather were "not planning to be present in the courtroom."
A courtroom sketch of Marius Borg Høiby in February.Credit: Ane Hem / NTB / AFP via Getty
Additionally, on Jan. 30, the Crown Princess was named in a batch of files released by the U.S. Department of Justice relating to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender.
Mette-Marite was named over 1,000 times in the files, according to Norwegian newspaper VG. The princess first released a statement saying that she "deeply regrets" her ties to Epstein a few days after the files' release, and later issued a formal apology.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Jeffrey Epstein.Credit: Rune Hellestad - Corbis/Corbis via Getty; Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty
The royal's apology was shared within a longer statement from the Royal House.
"We understand the strong reactions people have to what has emerged in recent days. The Crown Princess strongly disavows Epstein's abuse and criminal acts," the statement said. "She is very sorry for not having understood early enough what kind of person he was."
"The Crown Princess wants to tell about what happened and explain herself in more detail. She cannot do that now. The Crown Princess is in a very demanding situation," it continued. "She hopes for understanding that she needs time to gather herself."
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