Queen Mette-Marit won't return until 2027 at earliest – Court confirms long rehab

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Three months after her lung transplant, it's now clear: Mette-Marit (53) will be pausing for many more months. The Norwegian Queen underwent the major procedure on June 17, 2026 – now the court has narrowed down the possible comeback: summer 2027 at the earliest.

As the Norwegian Royal House explained in a press release, Mette-Marit will be unavailable for all official engagements until at least summer 2027. The Norwegian newspaper Ekstra Bladet first reported on this. An initial appearance after the transplant, which had been announced in the meantime, is now also off the table.

Her Majesty the Queen continues to be in rehabilitation following her lung transplant and will initially not have an official program until next summer.

What the diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis actually means

Pulmonary fibrosis is no harmless finding. The lung tissue scars permanently, the absorption of oxygen continues to deteriorate – in the end, often only a transplant can help. The fact that Mette-Marit had to go this route shows how serious the situation was. Rehab after such a procedure typically stretches over many months, often over a year. A comeback this fall was therefore practically never on the table.

Three people step in for Mette-Marit: Haakon, Sonja and Ingrid Alexandra

While the 53-year-old continues to recover, the close royal family takes over her representational duties. According to the court's statement, three people are stepping in: her husband King Haakon, Queen Sonja (89), and Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra (22). This means the work is clearly distributed within the family – from the designated queen, to the mother-in-law, to the heir to the throne of the next generation.

For you as a royal fan, this means: Until at least summer 2027, you won't see Mette-Marit at official events. The return is open-ended – the court specifically speaks only of "initially".

Court mourning ends on October 9 – without Mette-Marit

The news of Mette-Marit's long absence comes at an already difficult time for the Norwegian royals. As Bunte reports, court mourning ends on October 9. The royals will then gradually resume their official duties – with one exception: Mette-Marit. For her, only one thing matters now: getting healthy.