Senior members of Norway's royal family have publicly addressed the serious criminal charges facing Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, breaking a prolonged silence on the matter.
A Royal Family Under Strain
Marius Borg Høiby's trial is scheduled to begin in the Oslo District Court on February 3, 2025, and is set to run until March 14. He faces a total of 32 criminal charges following a year-long investigation. The allegations are severe, encompassing the alleged rapes of four separate women, acts of domestic violence against a former partner, making death threats, and various traffic violations.
In a candid interview with The Times, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the accused's mother, expressed the profound personal toll the situation has taken. She revealed her distress not only over the allegations themselves but also over public criticism of her parenting. "I think it's been quite a strain to be accused of such serious things, which of course I did not do," she stated. "The thing that perhaps upsets me the most is being criticised for how we've handled it as parents, that we didn't take it seriously. I find that hard."
Seeking Professional Help and Legal Process
The Crown Princess firmly rejected claims that the family had been dismissive of the accusations, disclosing that they had sought "professional help" for her son. "So it feels a little unfair [to claim] that we didn't take the situation seriously, because I think we have," she asserted. She described parenthood as "the most vulnerable thing you can do," acknowledging the inherent "self-blame" involved in such crises.
Mette-Marit emphasised the family's consistent position that the matter must be resolved through the proper legal channels. "Our view has always been that this matter must be dealt with in the legal system. That is where it belongs," she said, explaining her decision to speak out now due to the "intense scrutiny" and severity of the claims. The family intends to refrain from commenting on the case specifics until the judicial process concludes.
King Harald and Queen Sonja React
The wider royal circle has also been drawn into the painful episode. King Harald V, Høiby's step-grandfather, admitted that preparing for the trial felt "not possible." He told press, "But now it is in the hands of the court. Then we will take what comes." The monarch expressed sympathy for all affected, stating, "I'd like to say that we feel for all those who are affected. We feel for them and hope they will be OK and get better after the trial."
Queen Sonja echoed the sentiment of grim anticipation, simply adding, "But it's not exactly something you look forward to." Despite the looming court case, King Harald indicated the royal household would attempt to maintain "business as usual," though the shadow of the trial is unmistakable.
The case has placed the modern Norwegian monarchy in an exceptionally difficult position, balancing family loyalty with the gravity of the criminal allegations and the demands of public accountability. All eyes will now turn to the Oslo District Court in the new year as the legal proceedings get underway.
