Queen Sonja of Norway has broken her silence after Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a successful lung transplant last week.
The procedure was necessary to save the life of Prince Haakon's wife, whose health had been seriously compromised recently due to the progression of her pulmonary fibrosis, which has required her to use supplemental oxygen and significantly restricted her official engagements.
© Getty ImagesQueen Sonja's response
Queen Sonja visited Kristiansand, Norway's sixth-largest city, located in the south and known for its vibrant cultural scene, to inaugurate an art exhibition at the Bi-Z Gallery, where 77 works are on display. Upon leaving, she was asked by the Faedrelandsvennnen newspaper, the leading regional publication in southern Norway, to comment on the Crown Princess's lung transplant.
She replied, "It's simply fantastic. It's fantastic that it went so well."
© GettyThe transplant coincided with Marius Borg's conviction
Princess Mette-Marit's important operation has coincided almost exactly with the sentencing of her son, Marius Borg, who was sentenced to four years in prison for two counts of rape, domestic abuse, physical assault, harassment and abusive behavior, recording without consent, drug-related offenses and other infractions such as breach of restraining orders and threats, within a set of 34 charges for which he was convicted out of the 40 he was charged with.
A difficult year
The transplant and Marius's trial were notable moments of a 2026 marked by controversy and uncertainty. The princess's serious respiratory illness was compounded by her son's trial and her relationship with the magnate Jeffrey Epstein, with whom she had a very close friendship that led her to give an interview to explain herself to the public.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesAll of this put the Norwegian monarchy in a precarious position, while concern grew for Mette-Marit's health as she appeared visibly more tired at her official engagements.
Unwavering support
Despite the many difficulties Princess Mette-Marit has faced, the Norwegian Royal Family has offered her unwavering support. Her husband has temporarily suspended part of his official duties to care for her, and her daughter, Princess Alexandra, has transferred from the University of Sydney to the University of Oslo to be closer to her mother.
Her youngest son, Prince Sverre, has also visited her, as have Queen Sonja and even Marius Borg, who made a secret visit with the utmost discretion, entering through the hospital's back entrance to avoid being photographed.
Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit over the years...
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© UK Press via Getty ImagesSpecial memorial
Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit attend a memorial service at Akershus Castle on July 2 2003.
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© Getty ImagesTrip to the captial
Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway arrive at Palace Square on April 26, 2010 in Oslo, Norway.
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© WireImageRoyal palace moment
Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit pose for an official picture in the Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway, 9 November 2021.
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© Getty ImagesSculpture uneviling
Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the unveiling of Louise Bourgeois's sculpture at The Palace Park on April 24, 2023.
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© Getty ImagesNobel Peace Prize
Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2024.
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© Getty ImagesQueen Sonja's Art Stable
Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend Queen Sonja's Art Stable on June 23, 2025 in Oslo, Norway.
