Norway's Crown Princess requires a lung transplant following a deterioration of her health in recent months, the Palace has announced. Mette-Marit, 52, is married to the Norwegian heir to the throne and was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a chronic disease that causes scarring in the lungs and leads to a reduced oxygen uptake.

Since then she has reduced her royal duties and in October took a month off to undergo pulmonary rehabilitation. However, recent tests indicate a negative development in her health so she will need to undergo a lung transplant, the royal household has said.

The Palace said in a statement: "During the autumn, a number of tests have been carried out that show a clear worsening of the Crown Princess' health. The physicians at Rikshospitalet University Hospital have therefore started the process towards an evaluation for potential lung transplant surgery."

Are Martin Holm, Professor and Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Rikshospitalet University Hospital said: "We are reaching the point where a lung transplant will be necessary, and we are undertaking the necessary preparations to ensure that this will be possible when the time comes. At present, no decision has been taken as to when the Crown Princess will be placed on the lung transplant waiting list."

Dr Holm is a specialist in internal medicine and pulmonary diseases.

The Princess is determined to contonue to carry out her duties but the Palace advised that her engagmenets will be modified in accordance with her health.