Norway’s Queen Mette-Marit has offered a rare glimpse into her private life, using an official palace statement released on October 16, 2026, to highlight her deep passion for weaving. While continuing her prolonged recovery from a major lung transplant, the 53-year-old royal shared a personal message and photograph to mark the reopening of a prominent cultural exhibition in Oslo.
The Norwegian Royal House published an image showing Mette-Marit seated at a large wooden loom inside her private study at the Skaugum Estate. Her ongoing convalescence from pulmonary fibrosis and subsequent transplant surgery-performed in the summer-has kept her away from official public engagements during the opening months of her husband King Haakon VIII’s reign. Medical advisors expect her recovery to keep her sidelined from formal duties until at least the summer of 2027.
A Personal Sanctuary Through Weaving
In her accompanying statement, Mette-Marit reflected on the therapeutic and calming nature of the traditional craft. Working with textiles has become a central part of her daily routine during her years away from the public eye.
“When I sit down in front of the loom, a lot comes to rest,” Mette-Marit said. “Time passes more slowly at the loom and it is impossible to hurry. Weaving takes time, but the loom also gives something back: time and space. A refuge.”
The Queen’s relationship with weaving began around 2020 when she enrolled in a handicraft course with a friend. When pandemic restrictions halted the classes, she brought a loom home to Skaugum and taught herself the complex techniques. Her dedication eventually expanded into public advocacy; in April 2024, she fulfilled a birthday wish by hosting a national gathering of nearly 260 weavers at the Queen Sonja Art Stable.
The ‘Threads of Time’ Exhibition
The surprise release of the personal photograph served a dual purpose: celebrating the reopening of the Threads of Time exhibition at the Queen Sonja Art Stable in Oslo. The cultural showcase had temporarily closed on October 15, 2026, due to an official period of mourning following the death of King Harald.
The exhibition draws extensively from the Royal Collections, displaying historical tapestries created between 1899 and 1955. Highlights include monumental pieces known as the Riksteppene, which date back to 1899 and were woven under the direction of Frida Hansen using designs by Gerhard Munthe. These historic works famously won a gold medal at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris before hanging for decades in the upper vestibule of the Royal Palace.
By connecting her personal hobby to the centuries-old tradition of Norwegian textile art, Queen Mette-Marit has maintained a vital bridge to the public. She demonstrates resilience and cultural engagement from the comfort of her home while she focuses on her long-term healing process.
