Norway's Crown Princess Suspends Official Duties Due to Chronic Lung Condition

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has canceled most of her official duties for October to undergo lung treatment, as her son faces serious rape charges that have created additional stress for the royal family. The 52-year-old princess has been managing chronic pulmonary fibrosis since 2018, a condition that affects lung function and requires extended recovery periods.

The princess first revealed her lung condition in October 2018, explaining that pulmonary fibrosis impacts her lungs' ability to work efficiently. She said at the time that her work capacity would vary, with some periods requiring no official program to accommodate treatment when the disease becomes more active.

According to an official statement from the Norwegian Royal Family's website last week, the princess will spend October in "a month of treatment and lung rehabilitation" within Norway. She'll make only limited exceptions, including attending a formal dinner for parliament members at the Royal Palace on October 23. If her health stabilizes, she's expected to resume official activities in November.

But health isn't the only challenge facing the princess this year. Her son Marius Borg Høiby, 28, was charged in August with 32 criminal counts, including four rape charges involving different women. The charges also include death threats, assault on a public official, and traffic violations.

Reports indicate the alleged victims were asleep during the assaults. After a six-week trial, prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø stated that Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison. "This is an extremely serious case. Rape and violence are crimes with devastating effects that can permanently change victims' lives," Henriksbø said. Høiby's lawyers say he strongly denies the main charges.

The situation escalated further when Norwegian authorities revoked Høiby's diplomatic passport, just days after he vacationed in Portugal with his half-brother Prince Sverre Magnus, 19. The Foreign Ministry confirmed the decision to newspaper "Se og Hør" but didn't provide detailed reasons for the move.

For the Norwegian royal family, this represents a significant crisis. Royal families typically maintain their standing through careful public relations and avoiding scandal. When a direct family member faces such serious criminal charges, it creates unprecedented challenges for the monarchy's reputation and the personal well-being of family members.

The princess, who has three children, previously expressed relief about discovering her lung condition early, saying it gave her a better chance to manage it. However, a March update from the Royal Palace confirmed her condition had progressed, requiring daily assessment and more rest. The combination of deteriorating health and family legal troubles has made 2024 particularly difficult for the crown princess.