The situation within the Norwegian royal family appears more serious than ever. During an official trip to Japan, Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway spoke openly about the worsening health of his wife, Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway. Just days earlier, the crown prince had already hinted at how heavily the situation was weighing on him.
Mette-Marit has battled pulmonary fibrosis for years — a rare and incurable lung disease that progressively makes breathing more difficult. The fact that Haakon is now addressing the issue so publicly highlights just how tense and emotional the situation has become for the family.
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Princess Ingrid Alexandra Returning From Australia
At a press conference in Tokyo, Haakon revealed that daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway would soon return to Norway and temporarily pause her studies.
“She wants to come home soon, and it's to do with our family situation. She would like to be with her mother,” the prince reportedly said, according to NRK.
The young royal has been studying social sciences in Sydney since summer 2025, focusing on international relations and political economy. However, sources say she does not plan to permanently abandon her studies in Australia. For now, it remains unclear how long she will stay in Norway.
Prince Haakon Cuts Short Japan Trip
Haakon has also made personal changes in response to the crisis. On May 29, the Norwegian palace announced that the crown prince would shorten his official visit to Japan by one day.
While he completed scheduled engagements in Tokyo between June 1 and 3, a planned visit to the city of Hachinohe on June 4 was canceled. The decision appears directly connected to Mette-Marit’s condition, as Haakon reportedly wanted to return home as quickly as possible to be by her side.
Haakon Speaks Frankly About His Wife’s Condition
The crown prince addressed the situation with unusually emotional honesty.
“I’m going home because she’s ill, so I’m cutting the trip short by a day,” Haakon reportedly told Aftenposten.
He added: “It is important to come home and be with Mette. She is faring poorly now, which is why I wanted to do this.” Just days earlier, on May 26, Haakon had already revealed that the crown princess was “seriously ill” and that her condition had worsened significantly in recent months. His latest comments underline the growing concern surrounding her health.
The Royal Family Pulls Closer Together
The difficult circumstances appear to be bringing the family even closer together. Haakon admitted during the Japan trip that being away from Norway while Mette-Marit’s condition deteriorates has been especially hard for him.
With Ingrid Alexandra returning from Australia and Haakon cutting short his diplomatic visit, the royal family is clearly prioritizing time together during this deeply challenging period.
