The Crown Princess of Norway’s doctors are getting ready to assess her for a lung transplant.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is being considered for the major operation after her health deteriorated over the autumn.
The future queen of Norway has pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic condition that causes increased scarring in the lungs and makes oxygen uptake harder.
Doctors say that tests over the past months have shown a marked ‘negative development’ in her condition and they have now started preparations to assess her for a lung transplant.
The medical team added that this doesn’t mean an operation is imminent. However, they want to start preparations so that they are able to perform surgery when it becomes absolutely necessary.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
It’s not yet been announced whether the surgery would involve a single or double transplantation. Doctors are expected to give more details in the coming hours.
In the meantime, Norway’s Royal Palace has said that the Crown Princess wants to keep on working as much as she can. Her doctors have said she needs a specially tailored programme of rest, exercise and recovery.
Over the past seven years, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has scaled back her public duties and has sometimes had to withdraw from events at short notice because of her health.
