Queen Mette-Marit of Norway will not be undertaking engagements for the remainder of the year. In fact, King Haakon's wife isn't expected to return to duties until next summer.
The Norwegian Royal Court shared an update on the royal family's official program on October 7, stating: "Her Majesty the Queen is still in rehabilitation after her lung transplant and will initially have no official program until next summer."
While she is stepping away from duties until summer 2027, the Queen Consort, 53, was recently seen at the funeral of Norway's Princess Astrid on September 23. Earlier in the month, she also attended her late father-in-law King Harald's funeral and joined her husband on the balcony of the Royal Palace following the service.
Mette-Marit became Norway's Queen Consort in late August when her husband ascended the throne after King Harald's death. Haakon's ascension came amid his wife's rehabilitation.
The Queen Consort underwent a successful lung transplant on June 17. Following the procedure, it was revealed that the royal would undergo physical rehabilitation over the next six months, during which she was not expected to carry out official engagements.
© Patrick van Katwijk/WireImageIn a statement released after her operation, Mette-Marit said: "I am deeply grateful. First, I would like to thank everyone who chooses organ donation. It has given me the gift of life, and words fall short when I try to describe how grateful and humble I am for this. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has followed me on this long journey. My family, doctors, surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and other healthcare personnel, and everyone else who makes an irreplaceable contribution to the Norwegian healthcare system every day."
"I want to send a special shout out to my fibro friends. You have been exceptional during one of the most challenging phases of life. Living with fibrosis is not for the faint of heart, and not a day goes by that I don't think about how strong you are. I really appreciate the care I have received during my illness from so many people all over Norway. It has given me strength when I needed it most. Thank you very much."
© Per Ole Hagen/Getty ImagesAfter the royal's transplant, Are Holm, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, said that Mette-Marit's condition was "as good as can be expected under the circumstances."
The Queen Consort was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis back in 2018. Mette-Marit restarted treatment for her chronic lung disease in 2024. Months later in 2025 it was revealed that the royal's chronic pulmonary fibrosis had progressed. The Royal Court confirmed that December that Mette-Marit's condition had worsened, saying: "During the autumn, a number of tests have been carried out that show a clear worsening of the [then] Crown Princess' health. The physicians at Rikshospitalet University Hospital have therefore started the process towards an evaluation for potential lung transplant surgery."
© Lise Åserud / NTB / AFP via Getty Images/ Norway OUTWhen Mette-Marit's pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis was disclosed in 2018, she said (translated to English): "For a number of years, I have had health challenges on a regular basis, and now we know more about what is involved. The condition means that my working capacity will vary. The [then] Crown Prince and I are choosing to make this public now partly because in future there will be a need to plan periods of time without an official programme to accommodate treatment and when the disease is more active."
The mom of three also noted: "Even if such a diagnosis will limit my life at times, I am glad that the disease has been discovered so early. My goal is still to work and participate in the official programme as much as possible."
