The oldest son of the crown princess of Norway was apprehended just before his trial commencement on allegations that include rape, a situation that has brought shame to the royal family, as stated by the police on Monday. Marius Borg Høiby was taken into custody on Sunday evening and is charged with assault, wielding a knife to threaten, and breaching a restraining order, according to a police announcement. Authorities have requested a four-week detention citing the risk of repeat offenses.
Scheduled for trial at the Oslo district court on Tuesday, Høiby faces a comprehensive indictment comprising 38 charges like rape, mistreatment in a close relationship with a former partner, acts of violence against another individual, and the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Additional accusations involve issuing death threats and traffic infractions.
Høiby has been under scrutiny since his multiple arrests in 2024 over various alleged misconducts. However, he had been at liberty pending trial until Sunday. Prosecutors have mentioned that the 29-year-old could potentially receive a sentence of up to 10 years if found guilty during the trial, which is anticipated to extend until mid-March.
Marius Borg Høiby is the son of Mette-Marit from a prior relationship and the stepson of the crown prince, Haakon. Despite the general popularity of the royals in Norway, the Høiby case has negatively impacted their public perception.
In a prelude to the trial, the recent release of documents from the Epstein files on Friday shed unfavorable light on Mette-Marit. The documents contained numerous references to the crown princess, who admitted in 2019 to regretting her association with Epstein, as reported by Norwegian media. The newly disclosed documents revealed that Mette-Marit stayed at Epstein’s property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in early 2013, which was confirmed by the royal house to have been arranged through a mutual acquaintance.
In an official statement, Mette-Marit acknowledged her failure to conduct a thorough background check on Epstein and expressed deep regret for her interactions with him. She stated, “I deeply regret this, and it is a responsibility I must bear. I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing.” Mette-Marit also conveyed her heartfelt sympathy and support for the victims of Epstein’s abuse.
The connections of Mette-Marit with Epstein and the Høiby trial are not the sole sources of negative publicity surrounding Norway’s royal family. The commercial pursuits of Princess Märtha Louise, Haakon’s sister, have faced repeated criticisms. In 2024, amidst the prominence of Høiby’s case, she tied the knot with an American self-proclaimed shaman named Durek Verrett.
