On Wednesday evening, it was announced by the Norwegian Royal Court that Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway had been diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis. Now Prime Minister Erna Solberg has published an official statement regarding the Crown Princess. Prime Minister Solberg said to the Norwegian media: “Today, I send warm thoughts to Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Now it is important that the Crown Princess receives good treatment, is closely followed up and receives much care”.
Erna Solberg has been Norway’s Prime Minister for the past five years; therefore, she has a natural close relationship with the Crown Princess and the rest of the Royal Family. There is a warm tone between them every time they meet, and they appear to be good friends. The Prime Minister, who leads the most pro-monarchy party in Norway, has previously talked warmly about both the Crown Princess and the Norwegian Monarchy. In particular, the Crown Princess’s many projects have attracted the Prime Minister’s attention, and she has described them as important to the Norwegian society.
From left: Mr Sindre Finnes, Prime Minister Erna Solberg, His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen, The First Lady of Iceland, the President of Iceland, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen.
The Royal Court announced Wednesday that, “The Crown Princess has undergone extensive investigations related to her health and an unusual variant of fibrosis has been detected in the lungs, according to the Crown Princess’s doctor, Professor Kristian Bjøro at the National Hospital. It is not yet clear whether the pulmonary disease is linked to a more extensive autoimmune disease process or if there are other causes that underlie the lung changes.”
Crown Princess Mette-Marit will undergo treatment at Oslo University Hospital in cooperation with medical professionals from abroad. The Royal Court stressed that finding the disease early “is favourable considering the prognosis.”
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. Photo: Oskar Aanmoen / Royal Central.
In the same press release, Her Royal Highness added, “Although such a diagnosis in times will limit my life, I’m 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.”
Pulmonary fibrosis “is a lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred. This thickened, stiff tissue makes it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. As pulmonary fibrosis worsens, you become progressively more short of breath,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
