Royal Princess Mette-Marit Faces Serious Legal Charges
OSLO, Norway – January 31, 2026 – The Norwegian monarchy, long regarded as one of Europe’s most stable and popular institutions, is currently facing its most severe crisis in over a century.
Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is set to stand trial this Tuesday, February 3, at the Oslo District Court.
He faces an unprecedented 38 criminal counts, including four rapes, domestic abuse, and serious narcotics offenses.
The scandal has placed the Royal Palace under intense public and media pressure, sparking a national debate about the legal immunity and social behavior of those connected to the Crown.
The Gravity of the Indictment: From Assault to Rape
The legal saga began on August 4, 2024, when Høiby was arrested following an incident at an apartment in Oslo.
What was initially reported as a case of bodily harm and criminal damage quickly expanded into a massive, year-long police investigation.
On January 30, 2026, prosecutors confirmed that the total number of charges had risen to 38.
The most serious charges involve four counts of rape. According to the indictment, these incidents allegedly took place between 2018 and 2024.
In at least some of these cases, the victims were reportedly sleeping or incapacitated at the time of the assault. Perhaps most damaging to the defense is the prosecution’s claim that some of the acts were filmed on a mobile phone.
In addition to the sexual assault charges, the indictment includes:
Abuse in Close Relationships:
Allegations of physical and psychological abuse against several former partners.
Narcotics Offenses:
A “serious narcotics offense” involving the transport of approximately 3.5 kilograms of marijuana in 2020.
Violence and Threats:
Multiple counts of assault, battery, and making death threats against individuals.
Traffic Violations:
Driving without a valid license on multiple occasions.
The Royal Family’s Stance: Neutrality and “Rule of Law”
The Royal House of Norway has struggled to balance its familial loyalty with its public duty.
In a rare and highly anticipated statement released on January 28, Crown Prince Haakon addressed the upcoming trial.
While he described Høiby as an “important member of our family,” he emphasized that his stepson is a private citizen and “autonomous.”
“Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous.
He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else,” the Crown Prince stated.
He also confirmed that neither he nor Crown Princess Mette-Marit plan to be present in the courtroom when the trial begins.
This distancing strategy is seen by royal experts as an attempt to protect the monarchy’s image.
However, the controversy has been further fueled by reports that the Crown Princess allegedly warned her son of his impending arrest in 2024 and assisted him in cleaning his home before police arrived—allegations the Palace has not explicitly detailed but which have drawn sharp criticism from Norwegian republicans.
A Turning Point for the Monarchy?
Historians suggest that this is the biggest scandal to hit the Norwegian monarchy in its 120-year history.
While King Harald V remains a beloved figure, the “omniscandal” surrounding Høiby—compounded by the controversial marriage of Princess Märtha Louise to a self-proclaimed shaman in 2024—has begun to erode the institution’s popularity.
The trial is expected to last seven weeks, concluding around March 19. If convicted of the most serious charges, Høiby faces up to 16 years in prison.
For the Norwegian people, the case is not just about the actions of one individual, but a test of the principle that no one, regardless of their proximity to the throne, is above the law.
As the trial opens on Tuesday, the eyes of the nation will be on the Oslo District Court, watching to see how the justice system handles a man who, while without a title, has been raised in the halls of power.
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