Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has announced that she will not participate in the upcoming state visit scheduled for next week, where the Belgian royal couple is expected to visit Norway. Her health has reportedly declined, leading the Norwegian royal family's communications chief, Guri Varpe, to confirm that she will be absent from the program related to the state visit. Mette-Marit suffers from the chronic illness pulmonary fibrosis, which has worsened over time.

In December of the previous year, she disclosed that her condition had deteriorated significantly and expressed the possibility of needing a lung transplant in the future. This health update has caused concern among the public and royal followers, as the crown princess has been a visible figure in Norway and her absence from public events raises questions about her well-being. The state visit is a significant event, and her lack of participation is noted as a matter of concern for the royal family.

In addition to her health struggles, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is also facing scrutiny due to her son, Marius Borg Høiby, who is currently the focus of a legal case involving multiple serious allegations, including rape, violence, and abuse. This double burden of health issues and family controversies puts the royal family in a challenging position as they navigate the public's interest in both personal matters and their official duties.