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Norway’s Crown Princess’s Son Faces Serious Charges Amid Royal Family Scrutiny
The eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit returned to court Wednesday for the second day of his trial on multiple charges, including rape. Marius Borg Høiby, 29, pleaded not guilty to the most serious allegations when the seven-week proceedings began on Tuesday.
Though Høiby holds no royal title or official duties, the case has drawn international attention to Norway’s typically beloved royal family. The situation has been further complicated by recent revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contacts with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
During Wednesday’s testimony, Norwegian media reported that Høiby became emotional at times, breaking down in tears and expressing frustration over the intense media scrutiny he has experienced since childhood. VG, a Norwegian tabloid, detailed his visible distress as he addressed the court.
Last week, Crown Prince Haakon issued a statement indicating that neither he nor Mette-Marit would attend the trial or comment on the proceedings. The statement emphasized that while Høiby is not officially part of the Royal House, “We care about him, and he is an important member of our family.”
The royal household had previously announced that Mette-Marit planned a private stay during the trial period. However, on Wednesday, a royal communications adviser confirmed that the crown princess has “postponed the planned trip” without providing additional details. This comes amid reports that Mette-Marit’s health has deteriorated due to pulmonary fibrosis, diagnosed in 2018, with physicians now exploring the possibility of lung transplant surgery.
Norway’s 1,100-year-old monarchy is currently headed by 88-year-old King Harald of the House of Glücksburg, who, like many European monarchs, serves as a ceremonial figurehead without political power. King Harald is related to both Britain’s King Charles III and Spain’s King Felipe VI through their shared descent from Queen Victoria.
Harald married Sonja Haraldsen, a commoner, in 1968. Their son, Prince Haakon, married Mette-Marit in 2001, despite public controversy over her background as a single mother with ties to Norway’s party scene. The couple have two children together: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19. Following a 1990 constitutional amendment allowing firstborn children, regardless of gender, to take precedence in succession, Princess Ingrid Alexandra is positioned to eventually become Norway’s monarch, though the change was not applied retroactively.
The royal family’s troubles have been compounded by newly released documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. The latest disclosure included email exchanges between Mette-Marit and Epstein from 2012. In one message, Mette-Marit asked about wallpaper for her teenage son featuring “two naked women carrying a surfboard,” to which Epstein responded that she should “let them decide” and “stay out of it.”
Another exchange showed Epstein noting he was in Paris “on my wife hunt” and that he “preferred Scandinavians,” with Mette-Marit replying that Paris was “good for adultery” but “Scandis” were “better wife material.”
Following these revelations, Mette-Marit released a statement expressing regret: “I take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly. It is simply embarrassing.” She also conveyed “deep sympathy and solidarity” with Epstein’s victims.
The dual scandals have taken a toll on the monarchy’s traditionally strong public support. Recent polls by the Norstat agency for Dagbladet daily and NRK show that about two-thirds of Norwegians now support the constitutional monarchy as a form of government, down from nearly three-fourths in August.
“This has been like a shocking one and half year for the Norwegian people because we really love our royal family,” explained Tove Taalesen, a royal expert at Nettavisen newspaper. “We respect them, and we look at King Harald as like our grandfather.”
The public’s conflicted feelings were captured by Oslo student Gustav Onarheim, who told reporters: “I like the king, but with Høiby and the new released Epstein files and Mette-Marit, it’s so much to think about. I’m really looking forward to get the results in court.”
Høiby’s case began in August 2023 when Oslo police announced he was under investigation for bodily harm and criminal damage. The current trial is expected to continue for several more weeks.
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12 Comments
While the charges against Marius Borg Høiby are deeply concerning, I hope the trial is conducted in a fair and impartial manner. The reputation of Norway’s royals is at stake.
The Crown Prince and Princess’s decision to avoid commenting on the trial is understandable, but it may also leave the public feeling that the royal family is not being transparent enough.
This is a concerning situation for Norway’s royal family. I hope the charges against Marius Borg Høiby are thoroughly investigated, and that the truth comes to light regardless of his family connections.
It’s understandable that the intense media scrutiny would be distressing for him. Regardless of the outcome, this must be a very challenging time for the royal family.
The revelations about Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past contacts with Jeffrey Epstein add an extra layer of complexity to this case. I’m curious to see how this will impact public perception of the Norwegian royals.
It’s commendable that the Crown Prince and Princess have chosen not to comment on the proceedings. Maintaining impartiality and allowing the justice system to run its course is likely the best approach.
Norway’s royals are typically viewed very positively, so this situation is quite unusual. I wonder how it might affect the public’s trust in the monarchy going forward.
Regardless of the outcome, this trial is sure to have a lasting impact on the royal family. Transparency and accountability will be key to preserving public confidence.
This case highlights the challenges that come with being part of a prominent royal family. The intense media attention must be incredibly difficult for Marius Borg Høiby and his family to manage.
It will be interesting to see if the revelations about the Crown Princess’s past connections to Epstein lead to any further investigations or consequences for the royal family.
As an outside observer, I’m curious to see how Norway’s legal system handles this high-profile case. The charges against Marius Borg Høiby seem quite serious.
The royal family’s decision to distance themselves from the trial is probably the prudent move, but it may also invite more scrutiny if the public feels they are avoiding responsibility.