Norwegian Royal Family Under Scrutiny as Crown Princess's Son Detained on New Charges Ahead of Rape Trial
OSLO, Feb 2 (Reuters) – In a dramatic escalation of legal troubles for the Norwegian royal family, police detained Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on Sunday over new criminal allegations. The arrest comes mere days before Høiby is scheduled to stand trial on a separate, sweeping indictment that includes four counts of rape, domestic violence, and drug possession.
According to a police statement, Høiby—the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon—was apprehended on suspicion of causing bodily harm, wielding a knife, and violating a restraining order. Authorities have moved to seek a court order to hold him in custody for four weeks, citing the severity of the new accusations.
Høiby had previously been free while awaiting his trial, which is set to open on Tuesday and is expected to run until March 19. The case, one of several that have rattled the traditionally low-profile Norwegian monarchy, began in 2024 when he was named a suspect in the physical assault of a former partner.
"We are dealing with a rapidly evolving situation," a senior police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters. "The new allegations are serious and warrant pre-trial detention."
Høiby currently faces 38 charges across multiple cases. The latest arrest could lead to additional counts. His lawyer declined to comment on the new allegations when contacted on Monday.
In a previous media statement, Høiby admitted to causing bodily harm and property damage to a woman while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, expressing regret for his actions. His legal team has stated that while he does not admit guilt to the charges of rape and domestic violence, he has acknowledged some lesser offenses and plans to provide a detailed account in court.
The unfolding scandal has placed the royal household under intense public scrutiny, challenging its image of modern stability and raising questions about the boundaries between private conduct and public role.
Reaction & Analysis
"This is a profound embarrassment for the institution," said Lars Johansen, a professor of Scandinavian studies at the University of Oslo. "The monarchy's strength lies in its symbolic unity and moral standing. Sequential legal crises involving a direct family member inevitably erode that capital."
"The police clearly believe he is a flight risk or a danger to others. Detaining someone so close to a major trial is highly unusual and speaks volumes," noted Sofia Larsen, a legal correspondent for Afterposten. "The court will now have to navigate two parallel, highly charged proceedings."
Public Commentary
Karin M. (Teacher, Bergen): "It's a tragic situation for all involved, especially the victims. The monarchy must not be above the law. This process, however painful, demonstrates that our justice system works independently."
Erik Thorstad (Political Commentator, Oslo): "Enough is enough. This isn't just a 'private matter'—it's a repeated pattern of alleged violence and abuse of privilege. The royal family needs to address this directly, not hide behind press statements. Their continued silence is complicit."