Norway’s new Queen Consort, Mette-Marit, was taken to the National Hospital in Oslo on Tuesday evening after withdrawing at the eleventh hour from King Haakon’s swearing-in ceremony.
The Queen had been expected to attend her husband’s formal oath to the constitution at the Storting, but was forced to pull out owing to complications from the lung transplant she underwent in June.
A statement issued by the Norwegian Palace earlier in the day indicated that Mette-Marit required medical “observation.”
Pulmonologist Dr Are Holm of Norway’s National Hospital said: “It is not uncommon for complications to occur after a lung transplant. The Queen has had complications on some occasions since the operation, including today.”
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He added: “As a result, the Queen must be observed throughout the day. The Queen will therefore unfortunately not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Storting today.”
King Haakon himself drove his wife to the hospital that evening, and was spotted leaving Rikshospitalet on his own.
Haakon was observed leaving the National Hospital at approximately 6.20pm, having left Mette-Marit under medical supervision.
He returned three hours later, at around 9.30 pm, to collect his wife from the facility.
The Queen was not photographed during the journey, remaining seated in the rear of the vehicle. No additional comment was provided by the palace following the couple’s arrival at the hospital.
Their daughter, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, took her mother’s place at the day’s ceremony, standing in for the Queen Consort during the historic occasion.
It marked the first time the future monarch has taken the oath alongside the new sovereign.
Mette-Marit has battled a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, a condition that causes scarring to the lungs and progressively impairs breathing.
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Her husband disclosed earlier this year that her health had deteriorated significantly, describing her as “seriously ill” before she received her transplant.
Physicians had initially advised a six-month absence from official engagements to allow for recovery.
After being put on the waiting list for a lung transplant – which was described as “life-saving” – Mette-Marit underwent the procedure earlier in the summer.
Dr Holm later said the new Queen’s condition was “as good as can be expected” following her discharge from hospital.
Haakon’s milestone swearing-in yesterday came following the death of his father, King Harald V last Friday at the age of 89.
The monarch had reigned over Norway for 35 years.
In keeping with Norwegian tradition, his son assumed the throne immediately upon his death, becoming King Haakon without delay.
A state funeral has been scheduled for September 9 at Oslo Cathedral, with foreign royals already confirming their attendance.
Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko are among the first dignitaries to announce they will be present. The Dutch contingent will be particularly substantial, with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima, Princess Amalia, and Princess Beatrix all expected to travel to Oslo.
The Netherlands has postponed all previously arranged official royal engagements in order to accommodate the funeral.
While he may not be in attendance, King Charles led the tributes to his late relative, describing him as “my dear cousin” in a statement issued alongside Queen Camilla.
“It is with the most profound sadness that my wife and I have learned of the death of my dear cousin, King Harald V of Norway,” he said.
“For thirty-five years, King Harald served his people with unwavering dedication, guiding Norway through times of great change with warmth and humility.”
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