Crown Prince Haakon Returns to Norway Early as Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Health Worsens

Crown Prince Haakon landed at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on Thursday morning, cutting short a planned four‑day state visit to Japan after one day due to the deteriorating lung‑fibrosis condition of Crown Princess Mette‑Marit. The early return allowed the royal family to reunite in Norway, joining Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who had arrived a day earlier. While in Japan, Haakon visited Tokyo’s Shibuya district, met Emperor Naruhito and attended several conferences, but offered no new health updates on the princess. The royal household emphasized the family’s need to support each other during this serious medical situation.

The trip’s abrupt end underscores the impact of the princess’s illness on the monarchy’s schedule, with the king and crown prince speaking publicly about her condition while respecting medical privacy.