25 FEBRUARY 2002
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway remained hospitalised Monday after being diagnosed with pneumonia last week. Though her health has improved, doctors have advised her to remain in hospital to make a full recovery, said a palace spokesperson.

The 28-year-old wife of Crown Prince Haakon was admitted to an Oslo hospital late Friday, following her return to Norway from the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. After suffering from what was thought to be a severe cold during the last days of her stay in Salt Lake, the princess became extremely ill with flu which then developed into pneumonia.

Mette-Marit and Haakon had been due to go to Mozambique on Wednesday, to review development projects funded by the royal couple's humanitarian fund. However, upcoming royal engagements involving the couple have been temporarily postponed so that the princess, who is being treated with antibiotics, can recover fully.