Norwegian Royal Family Faces Dual Crises as Crown Princess's Son Faces New Assault Charges Ahead of Rape Trial
OSLO, Feb. 2 — In a dramatic escalation of legal troubles for the Norwegian royal family, Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was taken into custody Sunday on new charges of assault, threats with a knife, and violating a restraining order. His arrest comes merely two days before the scheduled start of a separate, seven-week trial where he faces 38 charges—including four counts of rape, domestic abuse, and illegal filming of women without consent.
Oslo police confirmed the arrest and have requested a four-week custodial period to prevent further offenses. The district court ordered Høiby held until at least March 2, pending judicial review. If convicted on the most serious charges, he could face up to 16 years in prison. Høiby has denied the rape allegations.
The timing intensifies scrutiny on the monarchy, which already faces political headwinds. Parliament is set to vote Tuesday on whether to retain the centuries-old institution—a routine quadrennial review that this year carries heightened symbolism. While abolition remains unlikely, analysts note that public sentiment may be shifting amid the controversies.
Compounding the strain, Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s name appeared more than 1,000 times in the latest tranche of Epstein documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday. The 52-year-old future queen, married to Crown Prince Haakon, has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the association has sparked uncomfortable questions about royal judgment and oversight.
“It seems that nobody has been thinking. Where are the counsellors, where’s the royal court and where’s the foreign office?” remarked Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen, a historian and royal correspondent for Norway’s TV2, in an interview with the BBC. He emphasized that while Høiby is a private citizen—born from Mette-Marit’s previous relationship—the crown princess’s actions, private or official, inevitably reflect on the nation. “She’s never a private citizen; she’s always the crown princess, and what she does will always redirect back to Norway—or ricochet,” he added.
The case underscores the delicate balance modern European monarchies must strike between family privacy and public accountability. With Høiby’s trial poised to unfold alongside parliamentary debates on the monarchy’s future, Norway’s royal house enters a period of unprecedented visibility and vulnerability.
Voices from the Public
Elin Larsen, 42, Teacher from Bergen: “This is heartbreaking for everyone involved. The victims deserve justice, but we must also remember that the actions of one family member shouldn’t define an institution that has served Norway for generations.”
Anders Moe, 58, Political Commentator in Oslo: “The monarchy’s resilience will be tested. These legal and ethical controversies arrive at a perfect storm—Epstein links, a criminal trial, and the parliamentary vote. The court of public opinion is now in session.”
Kari Nilsen, 34, Activist and Blogger: “Enough with the royal apologies! This isn’t just a ‘private matter’—it’s a pattern of entitlement and violence. The monarchy symbolizes inequality, and this scandal exposes why it’s outdated. Tuesday’s vote should be a referendum on accountability.”
Thomas Hagen, 67, Retired Diplomat: “The Epstein mentions are concerning but require careful distinction. However, the cumulative effect of these events risks eroding the dignified silence that has long protected the crown. Damage control must be swift and transparent.”