The Japan Times - Norway's Queen leaves hospital amidst mounting fears over princess

"As far as I know she is feeling much better," the 89-year-old king told reporters when asked about his wife while on a visit outside Oslo.

Sonja, who was fitted with a pacemaker in January 2025 after experiencing an irregular heartbeat while on a ski trip, was taken ill on Sunday and admitted to hospital in Oslo on Wednesday.

She was unable to go on the trip with her husband and the royal palace had said she could remain in hospital under observation for several days.

But the king, who is also in fragile health and walks crutches, said that Sonja was "on the way home".

Harald added to concerns however about his 52-year-old daughter-in-law who has an incurable lung disease, but has also been in controversy over her links to US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as well as the legal troubles of her son.

"She is seriously ill, there is no doubt about that," the king said in his comments to reporters. "I think it is very sad."

Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, announced Tuesday that Mette Marit's health had worsened recently.

Mette-Marit was diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis that causes breathing difficulties, which has repeatedly forced her to take sick leave or scale back her official duties.

The princess has recently appeared in public with a nasal cannula, consisting of tube connected to an oxygen device carried by a palace employee.

The palace announced in December that the princess might need a lung transplant.

"The crown princess is gravely ill, and I find that her condition has deteriorated significantly recently," Haakon told reporters on Tuesday.

"So, I'm worried about her health. She uses oxygen daily, and that helps a bit, but it's obviously not an entirely satisfactory solution," the 52-year-old said.

Mette-Marit, who married Haakon in 2001, has had a difficult few months in the spotlight.

Documents released by US authorities in January revealed her friendship and frequent contact with Epstein between 2011 and 2014.

In addition, her son from a previous relationship, Marius Borg Hoiby, has been on trial for rape, accusations he denies. A verdict is due on June 15.

K.Inoue--JT