The oldest son of Norway’s crown princess has been taken into custody just before his trial begins on multiple charges, including rape, causing a predicament for the royal family, according to police reports on Monday. Marius Borg Høiby was apprehended on Sunday evening and is accused of assault, making threats with a knife, and breaching a restraining order, as confirmed by a police statement. Authorities have sought a four-week detention citing concerns about the risk of further offenses.
Scheduled for Tuesday, he is set to face trial at the Oslo district court. The charges against him encompass 38 counts, such as rape, domestic abuse against a former partner, violent acts against another individual, and the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Additionally, the indictment lists charges of issuing death threats and traffic violations.
Høiby has been under scrutiny since his multiple arrests in 2024 related to various alleged offenses. However, he had been at liberty awaiting trial until his recent arrest. Prosecutors have indicated that the 29-year-old could potentially receive a sentence of up to 10 years if found guilty during the trial proceedings, which are anticipated to conclude by mid-March.
Born from Mette-Marit’s previous relationship, Høiby is the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne. Despite the generally favorable view of the royals in Norway, the Høiby case has cast a shadow over their public image.
Before the trial, the release of the latest batch of documents from the Epstein files on Friday shed an unfavorable light on Mette-Marit. The documents revealed numerous mentions of the crown princess, who had previously expressed regret in 2019 over her interactions with Epstein. The newly disclosed materials, including email exchanges with Epstein, disclosed that Mette-Marit stayed at one of his properties in Palm Beach, Fla., for several days in early 2013, which was confirmed by the royal house through a mutual acquaintance.
In an official statement, Mette-Marit acknowledged her failure to thoroughly investigate Epstein’s background and recognize his true nature sooner. She expressed deep regret and admitted to exercising poor judgment in her association with Epstein, deeming it embarrassing. Mette-Marit also conveyed her sympathy and support for Epstein’s victims.
Aside from Mette-Marit’s ties to Epstein and Høiby’s trial, Norway’s royal family has faced negative publicity due to the business endeavors of Crown Prince Haakon’s sister, Princess Märtha Louise. Notably, in 2024, around the same time as Høiby’s legal issues surfaced, she wedded an American self-proclaimed shaman, Durek Verrett.