Crown Princess Mette-Marit appears in first post‑transplant photos during Norway’s World Cup victory

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, who underwent a lung transplant in mid‑June for pulmonary fibrosis, was shown in the first public photographs released by the royal palace. In the images she sits beside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, on a sofa in the palace, both wearing Norway scarves, while they watch the national team’s 2‑1 win over Brazil in the World Cup round of 16. The palace caption read, “Yesterday was a historic evening! The whole family was thrilled!” and noted that King Harald V and Queen Sonja followed the match from Mågerø, while their children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, watched from the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA. The palace clarified that, although the photos suggest a recovery, Mette‑Marit has not yet been officially discharged from the hospital and will remain under medical observation.

The transplant was reported as successful, and the royal family’s appearance has been described as a morale‑boosting sign for the nation, which celebrated its first ever World Cup quarter‑final qualification. The images have generated widespread public interest and discussion on social media.