Senior members of the Norwegian 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. The 32-year-old is set to stand trial in the new year, facing a total of 32 criminal charges that include allegations of raping four women and committing acts of domestic violence.
A Family Under Strain
In a candid interview, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the future Queen of Norway, expressed the profound personal toll the allegations have taken. She revealed her distress not only over the charges 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 told The Times. "The thing that perhaps upsets me the most is being criticised for how we've handled it as parents."
She firmly rejected claims that the family did not take the situation seriously, stating they had sought "professional help" for her son. "Being a parent is the most vulnerable thing you can do. And I think all parents ... will recognise that there is an incredible amount of self-blame involved," she added.
The Legal Process and Royal Scrutiny
The Crown Princess explained the family's decision to speak out now, citing the intense scrutiny and the severity of the claims. She emphasised that their consistent position has been for the matter to be resolved within the justice system. "Our view has always been that this matter must be dealt with in the legal system. That is where it belongs," she stated.
She also addressed the family's right to privacy during the legal proceedings, saying, "We don't wish to comment on the case itself or on private matters until the legal system has dealt with it... I don't think that gives people the right to make all sorts of untrue claims."
King Harald and Queen Sonja's Reaction
King Harald V, Marius's step-grandfather, also commented, admitting the difficulty of the situation. "I felt it was not possible to prepare for it. But now it is in the hands of the court. Then we will take what comes," the monarch said. Queen Sonja simply added, "But it's not exactly something you look forward to."
The King stated the Royal Family would attempt to proceed with "business as usual" but expressed sympathy for all involved. "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," he said.
Trial Details and Charges
The judicial process is now formally scheduled. Marius Borg Høiby's trial will be held at the Oslo District Court and is set to run from February 3 to March 14. The extensive list of 32 charges he faces includes:
- Multiple counts of alleged rape against four different women.
- Abuse in a close relationship against a former partner.
- Acts of violence against another former partner.
- Making death threats.
- Various traffic violations.
The case concludes a year-long police investigation and marks a significant moment of personal and public challenge for the Norwegian monarchy.
