Queen Mette-Marit was transferred to Oslo National Hospital in King Haakon VIII's car immediately after his official swearing-in ceremony at the Storting. The sudden transfer generated intense interest surrounding the progress of her recovery following major surgery.
The new monarch arrived at Rikshospitalet with Mette-Marit by his side. The visit took place at the very same institution where King Harald V had passed away just four days earlier, following a 35-year reign. King Haakon arriving at the hospital right after assuming his royal duties highlighted the gravity of the situation as the nation navigates a charged transition from mourning its late ruler to entering a new era.
The Royal Palace of Norway maintained a cautious stance regarding the hospital visit. Officials avoided providing detailed explanations for the emergency trip, but they did not rule out the possibility that the queen had suffered a relapse or a setback in her rehabilitation.
Lung transplant complications
Mette-Marit had been unable to attend the morning swearing-in ceremony at the Storting, the Norwegian parliament building in Oslo where monarchs traditionally take their oath. The Royal Palace had announced her absence earlier in the day during an emergency medical update.
In an official statement, palace representatives clarified that the new queen was unable to attend due to complications arising from a recent lung transplant. Her medical team noted that such complications were to some extent expected following severe surgical procedures that demand continuous monitoring and careful management.
Organ transplant procedures require long-term care to prevent complications, adjust immunosuppressive medication, and monitor organ function. The National Hospital, known locally as Rikshospitalet, is Norway's leading medical facility for complex surgeries and specialized care.
Medical history and ongoing recovery
Mette-Marit was first diagnosed in 2018 with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung condition that causes irreversible tissue scarring and severely restricts respiratory function. As her health gradually deteriorated over subsequent years, surgical intervention became necessary, leading to her lung transplant operation at the Oslo hospital in June 2026.
She spent several days recovering in hospital before being discharged in mid-July. At the time of her discharge, her attending physicians emphasized that adjusting her medication and achieving full recovery would require an extended period and strict physical rest.
Although Mette-Marit had made a small number of limited public appearances during the recent days of national mourning for King Harald, the sudden cancellation of her appearance at the Storting and her rapid transfer to hospital have placed her health back under intense scrutiny.
