It is a day the Norwegian royal family had hoped would not come, but one they knew was inevitable.
On Tuesday Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of the country’s future king, will go on trial accused of serious crimes including rape and assault.
The case has captivated Norway and drawn interest from around the world, while threatening to permanently damage the royal family’s reputation and tarnish the final years of the reign of its long-serving monarch.
Marius Borg Høiby, stepson of Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, will go on trial from February 3. (Lise Aserud/NTB via AP)
On August 4, 2024, Høiby – who is 29 – became the first member of Norway’s royal family to be charged with a crime.
Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, from a previous relationship before she married Crown Prince Haakon, also 52, in 2001.
“This case is a heavy burden to the whole royal family,” royal correspondent at Norway’s national broadcaster NRK, Kristi Marie Skrede, told nine.com.au.
“They are worried about both Marius and all the women involved, how they will get through this.”
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“This case is a heavy burden to the whole royal family.” (Kimm Saatvedt/The Royal House of Norway)
Høiby has been indicted on 38 counts. The allegations include the rape of four women, physical and psychological abuse of two other women, a threat to kill a man, multiple traffic offences and transporting 3.5kg of marijuana. He has denied most of the charges.
The trial will begin on Tuesday in Oslo and could last between seven to eight weeks. If convicted, Høiby could be jailed for up to 10 years.
“The coming weeks will be hard on the royal family,” Skrede said.
King Harald V, 88, and his wife Queen Sonja, also 88, and the Crown Prince will continue with their official duties throughout the trial.
In June, 2022, Høiby was among the guests to attend the official 18th birthday party of his sister Princess Ingrid Alexandra. (Getty)
Høiby’s mother will be away from the capital staying at a private residence “for the next few weeks”, the Royal House has said.
Skrede, who has covered the royal family for more than 20 years, said the situation was unprecedented.
“How this will turn out for them, nobody knows. But in Norway we all hope for a fair trial. And that everyone involved comes out of this healthy.”
On Wednesday, Crown Prince Haakon issued an extraordinary statement where he affirmed his support for “all the parties involved”.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit pictured on Monday. Two days later, the Crown Prince issued a strongly-worded statement about the case. (Corbis via Getty Images)
Addressing the alleged victims directly, the Crown Prince said: “We know that many of you are going through a difficult time right now”.
“I have confidence that those responsible for the trial will work to ensure that it is conducted in as orderly, proper and fair a manner as possible.”
Haakon made it clear Høiby was not part of the Royal House, while still being part of the family.
“Marius Borg Høiby is not part of the Royal House, and in that sense he is free,” Crown Prince Haakon said.
Høiby was never given a royal title but was included in many official and unofficial family events over the years. (WireImage)
“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.”
Soon before Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon 25 years ago, Høiby was officially recognised as a member of the royal family by King Harald but he never received a royal title.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess have two children together: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 22, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 20.
Since the royal wedding, Høiby has attended many family and official events with the Norwegian royals. He stepped back from public life in 2017.
In 2024, soon after his arrest, Høiby’s portrait and biography were removed from the palace website.
The King’s eldest daughter Princess Märtha Louise, who does not carry out official duties because of her own controversies, was also affected by the website changes. She is now listed under the category ‘other princes and princesses’.
‘Royal House’ members refers to those working in support of the Crown; ‘Royal Family’ includes close relatives.
It’s a technicality, but one the Royal House is keen to stress.
King Harald has ruled Norway for 35 years and is Europe’s oldest-reigning monarch. (Graphic: Polly Hanning)
Skrede was there when the Crown Prince delivered his emotional statement to the media last week.
“My impression is that he tries to do the right thing both for the institution and his stepson,” she said.
“The institution has to distance themselves from the trial. The Royal House cannot comment or play a part in the trial.”
The Crown Prince’s statement, Skrede said, was clear in its support for all parties involved.
“Crown Prince Haakon was very emotional when talking about this,” Skrede.
“He chose to address the victims directly.
Høiby has denied most of the allegations made against him and is facing 10 years in prison if convicted. (Nigel Waldron/Getty Images)
“Crown Prince Haakon did not distance himself from Marius. He said he loves him, that he is an important part of their family and that they will find ways to support him during the trial.”
There had been questions over whether the Crown Prince and Crown Princess would attend court but they have chosen to keep their distance.
“Their presence could possibly affect both the victims and the court and result in a unfair trial,” Skrede said.
“It could also [bring] a lot of attention towards the royals and disturb the court. In Norway, commentators say that this is the right thing to do.”
Norwegians have been following the case closely ever since Høiby’s arrest at Skaugum Estate, the official residence of the Crown Prince family southwest of the capital, in 2024.
Earlier that day, police had responded to a suspected violence incident inside an apartment in Oslo.
Crime scene photos published days after the alleged attack showed a large knife sticking out of a wall and a chandelier lying on the floor surrounded by broken glass.
Sources had told local media that police were in possession of an audio tape, allegedly of Høiby telling the victim he would set fire to her clothes if she did not do what he wanted.
Høiby stepped back from public life in 2017 but interest in his movements has continued. (Getty Images for Tempus Magazine)
Ten days after his arrest, Høiby admitted to having “struggled with substance abuse for a long time” in a statement in which he apologised directly to the royal family and one of his alleged victims.
“I know that my actions have greatly affected you”, Høiby said adding, “this should never have happened and I take full responsibility for my actions”.
“I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges,” he said.
Høiby’s alleged “challenges” are well-documented in Norwegian media.
“There are reports – or rumours – about Høiby and his life,” Skrede said.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, pictured in the centre, said the situation was “difficult” for her family. (AP)
“Høiby has said publicly that he had mental issues growing up and that he for some years now has struggled with alcohol and drugs.”
He has also struggled to establish a role for himself, having been part of the royal family but without a royal title.
”There has been discussions about him being a public person or not,” Skrede added.
“He – and his parents – say he does not want public attention. Parts of the press say that he is a public person as part of the King’s family and that he has to accept some public attention.”
When Høiby turned 20, his mother wrote an open letter to the media referencing her son’s “youthful indiscretions”.
Marius Borg Høiby is the first son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, born from a previous relationship before she married Norway’s Crown Prince. (UK Press via Getty Images)
Crown Princess Mette-Marit said: “He should not have a public role and is not a public person”.
Following Høiby’s initial arrest in August, 2024, two of his former girlfriends came forward alleging domestic abuse.
He was later arrested twice more that same year, in September and November.
Høiby’s lawyers have previously said their client was taking the accusations very seriously but added that he did not acknowledge any wrongdoing in most of the cases, adding “our client denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as the majority of the charges regarding violence”.
The case will come after what has been a tough couple of years for Norway’s royal family.
Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verett triggered an emotional response from the Royal House after participating in the Netflix documentary Rebel Royals. (Courtesy of Netflix)
The recent actions of the King’s daughter, Princess Märtha Louise and her American husband, Shaman Durek Verrett, have prompted some to ask of the monarchy’s future, “is the beginning of the end?”
Their participation in a Netflix documentary, in which Märtha Louise repeatedly referenced her royal connections in direct breach of an agreement with the king, resulted in calls for her to be stripped of her princess title.
However, affection for King Harald remains high, with 70 per cent supporting the country having a monarchy. He has been on Norway’s throne for 35 years and is Europe’s oldest-serving monarch.
Last last year, the Royal House announced Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s chronic lung condition had worsened significantly.
King Harald and Queen Sonja, with the Crown Prince couple and Princess Ingrid Alexandra, at the Nobel Peace Prize award in December. (Getty)
Her medical team have now begun preparations with a view to assess the princess for a lung transplant. Her doctors have insisted she will not jump the transplant waitlist owing to her place in the royal family.
Norway’s second-in-line to the throne, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will return to Australia later this month to resume her three-year degree at the University of Sydney.
The princess grew up with Høiby and in an interview with NRK in November, she said the situation was “difficult” for her family.
“Of course it’s difficult,” she said.
“Both for those of us who are around, for me as a sister and for mum and dad. And of course for everyone affected by the case.”
The Royal House of Norway has said it would not make any further comment about Høiby throughout the trial.
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