The Norwegian royal family remains under significant pressure. Following the death of King Harald V, Haakon was sworn in as the new king in Parliament on Tuesday, but his wife, Mette-Marit, was unable to attend. The palace had previously announced that the 53-year-old had experienced further complications following her lung transplant. Her attending physician, Are Holm, explained that the queen would therefore need to be monitored throughout the day.
Shortly after the ceremony in Oslo, Haakon personally took his wife to Rikshospitalet.
Haakon Drives Mette-Marit to Rikshospitalet Himself
According to seher.no, the new king personally drove his wife to the hospital after the swearing-in ceremony. Photos showed the couple arriving in a dark Range Rover, with Haakon behind the wheel and Mette-Marit in the back seat.
About an hour and a half later, Haakon left the hospital alone. It was initially unclear whether Mette-Marit would have to remain there overnight. However, he returned later, and the couple eventually left the hospital together that evening.
Dr. Are Holm Explains the Complications Following the Transplant
The royal family previously stated that complications can occur following a lung transplant. “The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today. As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day,” Are Holm said in a press statement.
There was initially no further update on Mette-Marit’s condition. In 2018, she was diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis. In June 2026, her condition reportedly worsened, and she was placed on the waiting list for a donor lung before undergoing a transplant several weeks later at Rikshospitalet in Oslo.
Her Public Engagements Have Recently Been Severely Restricted
The palace had previously stated that the queen was still recovering and could attend official engagements only on a limited basis. On Monday, she was still present for the transfer of King Harald’s coffin at the palace.
She also appeared outside the palace alongside Haakon, Märtha Louise, and Queen Sonja, where flowers and candles had been laid in memory of the late king. However, she was absent from the memorial service for Harald V in Asker on Sunday.
