Royal Family Under Scrutiny as Crown Princess's Son Faces Serious Criminal Trial
OSLO, Feb 3 (Reuters) – A Norwegian court will convene on Tuesday for a trial that has sent shockwaves through the nation's usually tranquil royal establishment. Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, faces 38 criminal counts, including allegations of rape, domestic violence, assault, and possession of a significant quantity of marijuana.
If convicted on the most severe charges, Høiby – the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon – could be sentenced to multiple years in prison. His defense lawyer, Petar Sekulic, stated that while his client admits guilt on some of the lesser matters, he denies the charges of rape and domestic violence. "He will give a detailed explanation about this in court," Sekulic told Reuters.
The trial, scheduled to run until March 19, represents what historian Trond Noren Isaksen calls "the most serious crisis to hit the Norwegian royal family in peacetime." This assessment stands despite Høiby holding no royal title and being outside the line of succession.
The proceedings begin under a cloud of recent controversy. Just days ago, Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly apologized for maintaining contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction, calling it an error in judgment.
In a carefully worded statement, Crown Prince Haakon confirmed that neither he nor the Crown Princess would attend the court hearings, expressing faith in the judicial system. "We love him, he is an important part of our family," Haakon said of his stepson. "He is a Norwegian citizen, so he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, as well as the same rights." The Crown Prince also extended sympathy to the alleged victims.
The prosecution alleges that among the charges are one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, some of which were allegedly recorded on Høiby's phone. The case took a further turn over the weekend when police detained Høiby on new suspicions of causing bodily harm, wielding a knife, and violating a restraining order. A court ordered him held in custody for four weeks, a decision his lawyer is considering appealing.
Broader Royal Strains
The trial exacerbates existing pressures on the House of Glücksburg. King Harald V, 88, Europe's oldest reigning monarch, has scaled back duties following hospitalizations. Crown Princess Mette-Marit continues to manage a chronic lung condition diagnosed in 2018. Meanwhile, Princess Märtha Louise, the King's daughter, stepped back from official duties in 2022 amid criticism over her commercial ventures with her self-styled shaman husband.
Yet, public support for the constitutional monarchy remains robust. A January poll by Norstat for NRK showed approximately 70% of Norwegians support the institution, with only 19% favoring a different form of government.
"This trial must be seen in the context of cumulative controversies," historian Isaksen noted. "From Princess Märtha Louise's activities to health issues affecting the senior royals' visibility, the institution is facing unprecedented modern scrutiny. This case, given its gravity, cuts to the core of the family's public standing."
Public Reaction
Kari Johansen, Oslo Teacher: "It's a tragic situation for everyone involved, especially the victims. The royal family's statement was appropriate – they affirmed love for their son while respecting the rule of law. That's the Norwegian way."
Erik Moe, Political Commentator: "The monarchy's resilience will be tested. This isn't about a minor scandal; these are grave criminal allegations. The institution's long-term stability relies on its ability to remain above such severe personal misconduct, even from peripheral members."
Lena Solberg, Bergen (Sharply Critical): "Privilege on trial! This case reeks of a system that too often protects the powerful. His mother apologizes for befriending a convicted sex offender, and now her son faces multiple rape charges? The 'fair and proper' justice system Haakon trusts better deliver a verdict based solely on evidence, not pedigree."
Thomas Iversen, Student, Trondheim: "It's a human drama first. Whatever the verdict, real people are suffering. The media frenzy, however, risks overshadowing the victims' need for justice and privacy. The monarchy is a sideshow to that central truth."
(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche and Nora Buli; Editing by Alison Williams)