Japanese, Dutch Royals Watch 2-2 World Cup Draw During Netherlands Visit

Q: As their princess recovers, will Norway's royals miss their nation's historic World Cup return after 28 years?

Yes—Norway’s royals now appear likely to miss the country’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, though no final cancellation has been formally announced. The uncertainty centers on Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s health. According to the additional reporting, she underwent a lung transplant on June 17 and is expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks. The palace has said Crown Prince Haakon will adjust his schedule to spend more time with her and limit longer trips at home and abroad before and after the operation. That makes attendance by Crown Prince Haakon and Prince Sverre Magnus, who had been expected to support Norway at the tournament, increasingly doubtful. The news story already said they were reconsidering their plans because of the princess’s health decline. The broader reporting strengthens that picture: Haakon has already shortened official travel and scaled back engagements. There is also no indication that other senior Norwegian royals will step in. Recent reporting says it is not known whether any members of the Norwegian royal family plan to attend matches in the United States. With Mette-Marit recovering and the family’s schedule under pressure, a royal presence looks uncertain at best. So while Norway’s World Cup return is historic, the balance of evidence suggests the royal family—especially Haakon and Sverre Magnus—may well have to forgo the trip in order to remain close to Mette-Marit during her recovery.

2 articles · Updated · Town & Country · Jun 15

Het Oude Loo hosted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako as they watched Japan’s 2-2 World Cup draw with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima during the Japanese imperial couple’s official visit.
The joint viewing underscored the diplomatic tone of the trip, with the Japanese Imperial Household Agency posting a photo of both royal couples in team scarves under the caption: “Sport strengthens bonds.”
The Japan Times said it was the first time Japanese royals had watched a World Cup match with another royal family since 2002, when Naruhito and Masako attended Japan-Belgium with Belgium’s then-heir couple.
The European tour continues to Belgium next Saturday before the couple returns to Japan on June 26, while Princess Takamado was separately seen at the match in Arlington, Texas.
Royal attendance at the tournament is set to continue: the Dutch king and queen plan to watch matches in Houston and Kansas City on June 20, while other European royals weigh appearances.