Among the VIPs in attendance for this afternoon’s Norway versus England quarterfinal match-up in Miami is Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Prince Haakon’s trip to the United States is especially notable as it comes just a few weeks after his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, underwent a lung transplant.
“Fortunately, things are going better and better now, so we are very happy about that,” Prince Haakon said today. “She has received really good follow-up from very competent and talented people on the team there. So she is looking forward to the game, she too, together with the children.”
CHANDAN KHANNA//Getty Images
Crown Prince Haakon (R) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L).
This past Monday, the Norwegian royals shared the first photograph of the princess since her major surgery, watching the Norway vs. Brazil round of 16 match with Prince Haakon at the Royal Palace in Oslo, but Mette-Marit is still hospitalized. The royals had previously said that no further updates will come about Mette-Marit’s health until she is discharged. “As we have communicated previously, we will inform you about it when the Crown Princess is discharged from the hospital. For now, she is not,” Liv Anette Luane, communications advisor at the Royal Court, told NRK, despite the photo showing her at home at the Royal Palace.
Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit’s children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, have attended two Norway matches during the World Cup so far.
Elsa//Getty Images
Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Ingrid Alexandra before the Round of 16 match between Brazil and Norway at New York New Jersey Stadium.
After Norway’s upset victory in the Round of 16, Prince Haakon went to join the celebrations on the streets of Oslo, and participated in a “Viking Row.”
JAVAD PARSA//Getty Images
Crown Prince Haakon, center, and other Norway fans in Oslo.
“I wish I was on those streets; I wish I was involved in it,” star Erling Haaland said of the festivities in Norway. “Everyone has to enjoy themselves. All of Norway has to enjoy themselves. It’s one of the sickest days ever in Norwegian history. You just have to enjoy it, because this is sick.”
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.