Norwegian crown princess appears in first photos since lung transplant, cheering historic World Cup win
The Norwegian royal house published the first images of Crown Princess Mette-Marit since her lung transplant, showing her and Crown Prince Haakon celebrating Norway's 2-1 World Cup victory over Brazil.
First public appearance
On 6 July 2026, the Royal House of Norway shared the first photographs of Crown Princess Mette-Marit since she underwent a lung transplant in mid-June. The images show the 52-year-old princess seated on a sofa beside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, both wearing Norwegian team scarves and watching the previous evening's World Cup round-of-16 match. A second photo captures the couple at a palace window, looking out at crowds celebrating in Oslo.
Yesterday turned into a historic night!
The Instagram post, which also included pictures of King Harald and Queen Sonia at their summer residence and of the couple's children at the stadium, confirmed that Mette-Marit had not yet been discharged from hospital. A palace spokesperson told AFP that she remains under medical supervision while recovering.
Health background
Mette-Marit was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that progressively restricts breathing. Her health deteriorated markedly in early 2026, forcing her to reduce official engagements and appear in public with an oxygen device. On 5 June the palace announced she had been placed on a transplant waiting list, and on 17 June she received new lungs at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet.
- Diagnosed with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis.
- Royal House announces worsening condition; placed on transplant list.
- Undergoes lung transplant at Rikshospitalet, Oslo.
- Norway beats Brazil 2-1 in World Cup round of 16.
- First photos of Mette-Marit published, showing her watching the match.
Family celebrations
While the crown princely couple followed the match from the Royal Palace, their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22) and Prince Sverre Magnus (20), travelled to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to support the team in person. Photographs released by the palace show the siblings posing with Brazilian football legends Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazário before kick-off. King Harald (89) and Queen Sonia (89) watched from their summer home on the island of Mågerø, waving Norwegian flags.
Controversy and legal troubles
The speed of the transplant has drawn scrutiny in Norway, where the typical wait for a lung is between five and twelve months. Mette-Marit received her organ less than two weeks after being listed. Pulmonologist Olav Kare Refvem told VG that such timing is not necessarily irregular.
Sometimes it happens quickly. It depends entirely on which organs are available and their compatibility with the recipient's tissue type.
Aleksander Swkowski, head of information at the Foundation for Organ Donation, added that finding a suitable match rapidly is a positive outcome. The debate adds to pressure on the monarchy, which is also dealing with the recent sentencing of Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship. Marius Borg Høiby (29) was convicted in June of two rapes and 32 other charges and sentenced to four years in prison; he has appealed, according to local media. Norwegian outlets have also reported on Mette-Marit's past correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014.
A viral moment
Beyond the palace photos, a separate clip from the stadium locker room went viral on social media. Princess Ingrid Alexandra was filmed embracing striker Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win. The spontaneous hug, which broke with usual royal protocol, was widely shared and celebrated by Norwegian fans.
