The son of Norway's Crown Princess is set to appear in court within days to face a staggering 38 criminal charges, yet he will do so without the physical presence of his royal family members for support. Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest child of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, will stand trial in Oslo beginning February 3rd, with proceedings expected to continue through mid-March.
Serious Allegations and Additional Charges
Høiby faces an extensive list of allegations that include 32 initial charges encompassing multiple serious offences. These include alleged rape, abuse within a close relationship against a former partner, acts of violence against another individual, making death threats, and numerous traffic violations. Just days before his trial commencement, prosecutors added six new charges, the most significant being the alleged transportation of marijuana across Norway.
Royal Family's Official Position
Despite the gravity of the situation and the lengthy court process ahead, the Norwegian Royal Family has confirmed they will not be present in court to support Høiby during his trial. Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby's stepfather, issued a statement clarifying their position while emphasizing that official royal duties would continue uninterrupted throughout the proceedings.
The Crown Prince revealed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Høiby's mother, will spend several weeks at a private residence during this period. In an official statement posted on the Norwegian Royal Family website, the family expressed their thoughts for all parties involved while affirming their confidence in Norway's legal system.
"We are thinking a lot about all the parties involved in this matter," the statement read. "This is something that affects them, their families, those who love them. We care about them. We know that many of you are going through a difficult time right now."
Legal Status and Family Dynamics
The Royal Family's statement carefully delineated Høiby's position within the royal structure, noting that "Marius Borg Høiby is not part of the Royal House, and in that sense he is free. We are happy for him, and he is an important part of our family. He is a citizen of Norway, and through that he has the same responsibilities as everyone else, but also the same rights."
This distinction becomes particularly relevant given the serious nature of the charges and the potential consequences. State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø emphasized when Høiby was formally charged in August 2025 that "This case is very serious" and that his royal connections should not result in special treatment or leniency under Norwegian law.
Family's Previous Statements and Emotional Impact
In December, prior to the trial's commencement, the royal family broke their silence regarding the allegations. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, King Harald, and Queen Sonja all addressed the accusations publicly for the first time.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit expressed particular distress about how the family's handling of the situation had been perceived, telling The Times: "I think it's been quite a strain to be accused of such serious things, which of course I did not do. 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."
The future Queen of Norway explained her decision to speak publicly resulted from the intense scrutiny and severity of claims against her son. She maintained that "Our view has always been that this matter must be dealt with in the legal system. That is where it belongs."
Potential Consequences and Legal Process
The 29-year-old Høiby faces substantial penalties if convicted on the most serious charges. Legal experts suggest he could potentially face up to ten years imprisonment, depending on how the court adjudicates the multiple allegations against him.
The trial's commencement marks a significant moment for both the Norwegian legal system and the royal family, testing the boundaries between personal family matters and public institutional responsibilities. As the proceedings unfold in Oslo's courts, all eyes will be on how justice is administered to someone connected to, yet officially separate from, Norway's royal household.
