In recent weeks, the Crown Princess has had to step down due to health problems. Now Mette-Marit gives Norwegians a reason to heave a sigh of relief.

In October 2018 it was announced that Mette-Marit from Norway had been suffering from chronic pulmonary fibrosis for several years. Changes in the tissue cause the organ to harden and scar, resulting in reduced volume and thus restricting breathing. Nevertheless, the crown princess tries to impress as little as possible in her royal duties.

But now Norwegians can breathe a sigh of relief: The Crown Princess was surprisingly happy at a football game over the weekend. The women of Norwegian clubs Stabach FK and SK Brann fought for the trophy on the pitch, with Mette-Marit and husband Haakon cheering from the stands at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium.

The 49-year-old kept warm in a striped turtleneck and down jacket, her blonde hair slicked back in a ponytail. Mette-Marit seemed aloof, fit and in a good mood for a long time. She kept getting up to watch the duel on the lawn. She would giggle, cheer and shake the players’ hands.

Following her diagnosis nearly four years ago, the crown princess herself explained that she and her husband had decided to inform the public because there will be times in the future when she will not be able to attend official appointments due to pulmonary fibrosis. “I’m glad the disease was detected so early. My goal is still to work as much as possible and participate in the official program,” she said at the time.