King Harald has given a rare public update during a deeply difficult stretch for Norway’s royal family. The 89-year-old monarch spoke while attending an engagement in Vestland, where he addressed Queen Sonja’s recent hospitalization, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s declining health, and renewed questions about Mette-Marit’s past connection to Jeffrey Epstein. According to Town & Country, the King made clear that the family is facing several serious challenges at once. His remarks offered a direct look at the pressure now surrounding the palace and the people at its center.
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Queen Sonja Leaves Hospital After Heart Treatment
Queen Sonja, 88, was admitted to the National Hospital in Oslo after doctors diagnosed heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Her condition forced her to take sick leave and cancel official duties, including a planned lunch with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. King Harald said her health had improved after treatment and that she had already been discharged. "Her form is much better," King Harald told reporters according to Hello. He added that her medication was now under control, while also noting that she had struggled with being unable to carry out her usual work.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Illness Worsens
The most serious concern appears to center on Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The 52-year-old royal has lived with chronic pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, and the condition has increasingly affected her daily life. She was seen in early May using a nasal oxygen device during Norway’s national day celebrations, a visible sign of how severe the illness has become. Last winter, the Royal Palace said doctors had started preparing for a possible lung transplant evaluation. The latest updates suggest that her condition is becoming harder to manage, even with oxygen support in place.
Crown Prince Haakon Speaks Plainly About Her Condition
Crown Prince Haakon has also addressed his wife’s health in stark terms. "The Crown Princess is seriously ill, and I think she has gotten a bit worse lately," Haakon said. He added that he is worried and said oxygen helps her in everyday life. King Harald echoed that assessment in his own comments, saying there is no doubt about how serious the illness is. The statements marked one of the clearest public acknowledgments yet from senior members of the family about the scale of Mette-Marit’s medical struggle and the uncertainty surrounding the months ahead.
King Harald Addresses Epstein Questions
King Harald also commented on renewed attention around Mette-Marit’s former ties to Jeffrey Epstein after U.S. federal files again brought the matter into public discussion. He said he learned of the connection at the same time as the public and insisted he had no further knowledge beyond what had already emerged. The King also defended his daughter-in-law, stressing that she had done nothing illegal and had ended the relationship early. His response drew a firm line between criticism of Epstein and the palace’s position on Mette-Marit’s conduct during that period.
