Palace issues health update as royal announces four-week break from duties due to illness

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has confirmed that she will take a month-long break from royal duties as she continues to battle with a chronic illness. The palace confirmed that the Princess will undergo pulmonary rehabilitation and will next be seen in public in November.

In a statement, the palace began: "Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit will undergo a month of pulmonary rehabilitation in Norway from the beginning of October.

"The Crown Princess will therefore not carry out official assignments in October, but some exceptions are planned, such as the dinner for the representatives of the Storting at the Royal Palace on October 23. The Crown Princess is scheduled to resume her official work in November."

Speaking to the press about her upcoming hiatus, the Princess said: "I should have done it a long time ago, but now is the time. So I'm going to do it. Because I need a little more help than before to cope with daily life with pulmonary fibrosis."

When asked what the rehabilitation will achieve, she added: "I think it's about meeting other people who suffer from the same lung disease as me. And having better control over how I'll cope with my daily life with this chronic illness."

This latest update comes after the news that her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, was charged with 32 counts, including rape, abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, and acts of violence against another, making death threats, and traffic violations.

While the Crown Princess is yet to speak out publicly on her son's case, the Norwegian Royal Family issued a statement to media outlet NRK, which read: "The case is taking its course in the legal system, and follows normal procedures. We have nothing more to add."

However, Marius' stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, made a personal statement on the case back in 2024. He said: “Marius is facing serious accusations, which the police and the judiciary will deal with. I am convinced they will do a good job.

"As a family and as parents, we have wanted Marius to receive help, and we have been working for a long time to get him to a place where he can receive more help. It is something we give a lot of priority to. It must be done within the framework established by the legal system.”