Mette-Marit cancels in extremis her presence at the Nobel Prize for health reasons

As in William Wyler’s iconic film, ‘Roman Holiday’, starring Princess Ann, played by Audrey Hepburn, in which the royal family is forced to cancel all their engagements the next day citing health reasons ( we will not do more spoilers), Mette-Marit has had to cancel in extremis her commitment today with the Nobel Prize, which as every year, the Peace Prize, is awarded in Oslo.

Mette-Marit, 48, will not be able to attend, as confirmed by the palace spokesman, Sven Gj Gjeruldsen, to the Norwegian newspaper ‘Dagbladet’ and has revealed the reason that led her to make this decision: “Your Royal Highness, the Crown Princess, unfortunately you have to cancel your program today in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The Crown Princess has cold symptoms and therefore must undergo a PCR test for COVID-19. ”

The wife of Prince Haakon will not be able, therefore, to be in the city hall of the Norwegian capital, where the delivery of this award will take place, which this year has gone to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov.

The ceremony will be attended by her in-laws, Kings Harald and Sonia, both 84 years old, and her husband, Haakon, who will act as hosts in this event of enormous international significance.

Although Mette-Marit leads a more or less normal life, the concern for her health is something latent, not in vain was she diagnosed in 2018 with a complicated disease, pulmonary fibrosis, which she has assumed with enormous strength and for now has proven to be in very good physical shape.

Precisely because of this medical condition, Mette-Marit has to take particular care with respect to the virus to avoid complications as she is a high-risk person. In principle, the news is not alarming and we will have to wait for confirmation of whether it has been infected or not.

Due to the delicate situation in Norway, tonight’s banquet will be reduced to 20 people and no member of the Norwegian royal family will be present.

In recent months, King Harald’s health has worried, but he finally managed to recover after several hospitalizations and operations that led to believe that the time of abdication could be near. However, he continues with his usual schedule.

As for the award winners, it should be noted that the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo awarded it to Ressa and Muratov for their “efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.”

Specifically, the committee highlighted that the awardees received the award for their courageous work for the sake of freedom of expression in Philippines and Russia. They added that Ressa and Muratov represent all journalists who speak out for this ideal in a world in which democracy and freedom of the press have to face increasing adverse conditions.

The rest of the Nobel Prizes are awarded simultaneously in Sweden, which will be attended by the kings, Carlos Gustavo and Silvia of Sweden, and the crown princess, Victoria, with her husband, Daniel.