Queen Mette-Marit of Norway was notably absent from her father-in-law King Harald’s church memorial service, raising questions about why she did not attend the emotional farewell.
King Harald passed away at 89 after almost two weeks of hospitalization for a rare blood condition.
Following his death, his only son Haakon became King Haakon VIII, and his wife, Mette-Marit, became Queen Consort.
Queen Sonja, King Haakon, Princess Märtha Louise, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus were among those who attended the memorial for Harald at Asker Church.
According to Hello!, the Queen Consort did not attend due to her ongoing recovery after undergoing a lung transplant in June.
In the statement, the Palace of Oslo affirms that, "as previously announced," King Haakon's wife "is recovering from the lung transplant she underwent in June and has limited participation in official events."
Mette-Marit underwent a “successful” lung transplant at Oslo University Hospital in June after being diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis in 2018.
Following her surgery, Mette-Marit largely stayed out of the spotlight, though she and Haakon visited Harald just days before he died.
Mette-Marit was back alongside the royals on August 31 as Harald’s coffin was carried to the Royal Chapel, where the public can pay respects before his September 9 funeral.
She walked behind the coffin alongside Queen Sonja, with King Haakon and other members of the royal family joining the procession.
In a surprise, Marius Borg Høiby, Mette-Marit’s 29-year-old son from a previous relationship, also took part in the procession.
Høiby is under house arrest at Skaugum after being found guilty of two rape counts and other offenses in June.
He was allowed to visit King Harald in hospital and is expected to attend next week’s state funeral.
Queen Mette-Marit is expected to attend King Haakon’s oath-taking ceremony before the Storting on September 1.
