Overview
- Crown Prince Haakon shortened his official Japan trip on Friday, May 29, because the palace said his wife’s health requires his earlier return.
- King Harald and Haakon have publicly confirmed that Crown Princess Mette‑Marit is seriously ill, now uses supplemental oxygen daily, and is being prepared for a likely lung transplant.
- Queen Sonja was admitted to Oslo’s Rikshospitalet on May 27 with atrial fibrillation and heart failure, was discharged the next day, and is reported to be improving under adjusted medication.
- The royal household is redistributing duties: Haakon is carrying a heavier public workload and advisers and commentators say Princess Ingrid Alexandra may take on more official roles sooner.
- The health crisis comes alongside reputational pressures from released Epstein documents and a pending trial involving Mette‑Marit’s son, factors that could affect public trust in the monarchy.