Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has marked her 53rd birthday facing public opposition to her becoming queen, according to a new opinion poll.
The survey, conducted by research firm InFact for Norwegian newspaper VG among 1,030 respondents, revealed that 44 percent of people believe Princess Mette-Marit should not become queen. By contrast, 32.5 percent of respondents supported her future ascension to the throne.
The poll also showed that 60.9 percent of respondents want Norway to remain a monarchy. That figure represents an 11 percentage point drop compared to a previous survey conducted by the same publication. While the survey results do not alter Norway's line of succession, they highlight a shift in public sentiment toward the royal family.
Public opinion and royal succession
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to King Harald V of Norway. Under the Norwegian constitutional monarchy, Crown Prince Haakon is first in line to the throne, making Princess Mette-Marit the future queen consort upon his accession.
The decline in public support follows a severe health ordeal that has forced the crown princess to step back from her official duties. Princess Mette-Marit has battled a chronic health condition since 2018, which worsened significantly in recent years.
In January 2026, the royal household curtailed her public appearances as her condition required greater medical care. On May 17, during Norway's National Day celebrations, she appeared in public using supplementary oxygen. The royal family subsequently announced on June 5 that she had been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant.
On June 17, Princess Mette-Marit was admitted to Oslo University Hospital, where she underwent lung transplant surgery. Crown Prince Haakon reduced his official schedule to support his wife through her recovery while continuing his core institutional duties. Since the operation, the crown princess has made minimal public appearances, including a visit to King Harald during a hospital stay.
Son legal case and royal response
Alongside her medical recovery, Princess Mette-Marit has faced public scrutiny over legal proceedings involving her eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby.
When her son was taken to prison, Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon visited him in custody. The visit sparked widespread debate across Norway over the boundary between private family support and official royal conduct. Marius Borg Høiby is currently under house arrest at the official royal residence, a decision that has drawn further public discussion.
Princess Mette-Marit has maintained that her commitment to supporting her son as a mother remains separate from her institutional role within the royal house.
Epstein disclosures and public apology
Her public image has been further tested by disclosures regarding her past relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Following the release of documents by the United States Department of Justice, Princess Mette-Marit issued an official statement addressing the relationship. In her message, she expressed her deepest regret over her friendship with Epstein and offered an apology to everyone she had disappointed. She stated that messages between Epstein and herself did not represent the person she wished to be, and apologized for the situation brought upon the royal family, specifically highlighting the king and queen.
The royal family next generation
As Princess Mette-Marit remains largely absent from official engagements, the royal family has begun transitioning responsibilities to the next generation.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who is second in line to the throne behind her father, has taken on an increased volume of public duties. Prince Sverre Magnus has also assumed a more prominent public role as the Norwegian monarchy prepares for its future.
Whether public sentiment will alter Princess Mette-Marit's position as future queen remains an open question, with observers noting that her standing will depend on her health recovery and the evolution of public opinion.
