Princess Mette-Marit’s health has ‘got worse’, her husband reveals (Image: GETTY)

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway has given royal fans a worrying update on his wife’s health. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the 52-year-old revealed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s health has deteriorated further, sadly revealing that she has “got worse”.

Mette-Marit suffers from pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes progressive lung scarring and increasing difficulty breathing, which has worsened in recent months. There is no cure for pulmonary fibrosis.

The Crown Prince said, “The Crown Princess is gravely ill, and I find that her condition has deteriorated significantly recently.

“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.”

Following her diagnosis in 2018, the condition has repeatedly forced her to take sick leave or scale back her official duties.

Earlier this month, the royal appeared in public wearing a device to help her breathe.

The Norwegian palace revealed back in December that she may need a lung transplant.

The Crown Prince pictured with his wife, Princess Mette-Marit (Image: GETTY)

Aside from her health struggles, the Crown Princess has had a difficult few months.

Documents were released in January revealing her friendship and frequent contact with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014.

Marius Borg Hoiby, her son from a previous relationship, later went on trial earlier this year for over 40 different charges, including those of rape, which he denies.

He did, however, plead guilty to less serious offences, including traffic violations. The verdict is due on June 15.