Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, faces serious allegations after his recent arrest on suspicion of assault. As he prepares for trial in Oslo on Tuesday, he contends with 38 charges, including the rape of four women.
The 29-year-old has been remanded in custody for four weeks. Law enforcement officials indicated that the latest accusations involve him wielding a knife and violating a restraining order, raising concerns about the potential for reoffending.
This arrest marks the fourth time Høiby has been detained since August 2024, when he was accused of assaulting a former partner. While he denies the most severe charges, he has acknowledged some of the lesser allegations.
This incident adds to the ongoing turmoil surrounding the royal family. Norwegians are grappling with the unsettling news that Crown Princess Mette-Marit corresponded with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for three years, from 2011 to 2014.
In light of these revelations, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has expressed her “poor judgment” regarding her interactions with Epstein. She conveyed her “deep sympathy and solidarity with the victims” of Epstein’s abuses, describing her contact with him as “simply embarrassing.” Reports reveal that she stayed at Epstein’s Florida residence for four nights while he was absent, and even inquired whether it was “inappropriate” to suggest wallpaper featuring two naked women to her then-15-year-old son.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has publicly supported her admission of poor judgment, and while he refrained from further comment, his implied criticism of her actions is notable.
This situation has sparked significant questions in Norway about the Crown Princess’s awareness of the toxic implications of maintaining ties with Epstein, as well as the oversight provided by her advisers during their correspondence via an official royal email account. Historian and royal correspondent Ole-Jørgen Schulsrud-Hansen articulated concerns, stating, “It seems that nobody has been thinking. Where are the counsellors, where’s the royal court, and where’s the foreign office?”
He further asserted that while the monarchy may distance itself from Høiby’s impending trial, Mette-Marit cannot escape public scrutiny: “She’s never a private citizen; she’s always the Crown Princess. Her actions, whether in a private or official capacity, will always reflect back on Norway.”
As the future queen of Norway, Mette-Marit holds a significant societal role, serving as a patron for various organizations, including the Red Cross. Compounding her challenges, she suffers from pulmonary fibrosis and is preparing for a potential lung transplant.
Although Marius Borg Høiby is not an official member of the royal family, he remains the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon. The allegations against him are severe, encompassing rape, abuse, violating a restraining order, transporting 3.5 kg of marijuana, and speeding.
In his initial arrest in 2024, Høiby discussed his struggles with multiple mental disorders and substance abuse. His recent remand marks a shift in the police’s approach, as he has spent only a week in custody until now. The Oslo District Court has agreed to the police’s request to remand him, citing the need to prevent further offenses.
The royal household has attempted to distance itself from the trial. In a recent statement, Crown Prince Haakon expressed empathy towards the women affected by the case and their families, acknowledging that “this is a difficult time for many of you, and we sympathize.”
