Norwegian Crown Princess Mette‑Marit placed on lung‑transplant waiting list

Norway’s Crown Princess Mette‑Marit, 52, has been added to the national waiting list for a lung transplant after her chronic lung fibrosis worsened dramatically over the past year. At a press conference at Rikshospitalet, pulmonologist Are Holm and transplant surgeon Arnt Fiane explained that candidates must have a life expectancy of less than a year yet be fit enough to survive the operation and ongoing immunosuppression. They noted that Norway performs about 30‑35 lung transplants annually, with roughly a quarter of deceased donors providing suitable lungs.

May Lunde, a 62‑year‑old Norwegian who received a lung transplant more than 20 years ago, expressed admiration for the princess and urged calm and support during her treatment. Lunde highlighted the importance of organ donation, sharing her own experience of living with reduced lung capacity and lifelong medication, and voiced hope that the princess will receive appropriate rehabilitation.