Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, aged 52, will miss the state visit of the Belgian royal couple next week because of deteriorating health, as confirmed by the communications manager of the Norwegian royal family to NRK. Her health has recently diminished, and she is likely facing a lung transplant due to chronic pulmonary fibrosis, which leads to lung scarring and shortness of breath.

The Norwegian royal court had previously announced in December that Mette-Marit would be undergoing serious health challenges, including the possibility of surgery. The current health situation of the Crown Princess has drawn significant media attention, especially in light of recent scandals involving her past associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and legal troubles surrounding her son, Marius Borg Høiby, which include allegations of rape.

In addition to Mette-Marit, the Norwegian royal family has been in the public eye recently, with the absence of Princess Astrid also noted for health reasons in relation to the same state visit. The implications of Mette-Marit’s health on her royal duties and the ongoing challenges facing their family highlight the delicate balance of public life and personal struggles within the monarchy.