Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway participated two weeks ago in a podcast for the Norwegian state TV-channel NRK. This podcast was the first solo event that the Crown Princess participated in, in almost a year. On Saturday, the podcast was published, and the Crown Princess talks about many different things. Among other things, she talks openly about her feelings about shame, which at times have been so difficult that the Crown Princess felt physically ill.
In the podcast, the Crown Princess is open about how difficult the first period as a member of the royal family. Her Royal Highness talks about the enormous pressure she was under and how challenging it was for someone who did not have much experience of being in the spotlight. The Crown Princess said, “There are some periods in life, perhaps especially the first phase of me and Haakon, which I still cannot think of without having to throw up. Because it was so hard. There are a number of TV programs that have been shown recently about the royal family, where there is a feature with me and Haakon at the very beginning, and I cannot watch it.”
When asked if she experienced people being mean to her, the Crown Princess denies that anyone actually meant to be mean. She continues: “People just wanted to have something to talk about. I have actually promised myself that after that period, I will never feel ashamed again. There is nothing that will make me feel that I am not good enough in one way or another.”
In the podcast, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also open about the fact that her reduced work capacity has at times been perceived as something to be ashamed of. In 2018, it was announced that she had been diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis and that, at times, she would not be able to perform all her official duties. The Crown Princess says: “I think I am a little too ashamed that I am sick. Or, I know I am pretty much ashamed of it.”
