Princess Mette-Marit’s health crisis forces Prince Haakon to cancel State Council meeting

Princess Mette-Marit, the heir‑apparent of Norway, has publicly spoken about a difficult childhood marked by her father’s alcoholism and her parents’ divorce, later losing him to lung cancer in 2007. She married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, bringing a son, Marius, from a previous relationship, which initially sparked public controversy.

In June 2026, concerns about Mette-Marit’s health prompted Prince Haakon to abruptly cancel his attendance at a State Council meeting and postpone other royal engagements, including a planned silver‑wedding celebration. The royal palace cited her medical condition as the reason for the schedule changes. Simultaneously, Marius was transferred to a hospital, and his request for temporary release to be with his mother was denied.

The episode has drawn significant media attention in Norway and abroad, underscoring the impact of the princess’s health on royal duties and governmental activities.