Arrest of Crown Princess's Son Shocks Norwegian Monarchy

Marius Borg Hoiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, was arrested in Oslo on suspicion of assault, threatening a woman with a knife, and violating a restraining order. The arrest came on the eve of the trial where he faces 38 charges, including four counts of rape.

The court ordered him remanded in custody for four weeks, citing a significant risk of reoffending. The rape trial hearings will last until March 19.

According to media reports, the new charges involve an ex-girlfriend and echo an incident in 2024 when Hoiby, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, smashed a chandelier and stabbed a knife into the wall of her apartment.

In court, Hoiby pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape but admitted to some less serious crimes. He faces up to 16 years in prison. The prosecution alleges that four women were raped while asleep or heavily intoxicated between 2018 and 2024, with some attacks allegedly filmed. He is also charged with transporting 3.5 kg of cannabis in 2020, which he admitted.

The royal family is trying to distance itself from the case. Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit will not attend the trial, nor will King Harald V and Queen Sonja. Hoiby is not an official member of the royal family, and his diplomatic passport was revoked last year.

The scandal is compounded by recently released materials in the Jeffrey Epstein case, which mention Mette-Marit«s past contacts with the financier. Over the weekend, the crown princess publicly apologized, saying she »deeply regrets« her »shortsightedness« and called the situation »simply awkward.«

According to a high-ranking political source, the arrest «shook the monarchy to its core,» and its timing — on the eve of the televised trial — could heighten public concern about the royal family«s standing. The prosecutor stated that the family»s status would not affect the outcome of the case.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre noted that Mette-Marit and former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland displayed «shortsightedness,» but emphasized that being mentioned in the documents does not imply wrongdoing. Historian and royal commentator Trond Norén Isaksen said the string of scandals has «obviously» undermined the monarchy«s position, although support remains at around 70%. He added that proposals to replace the monarchy with a republic would not gain a majority in parliament.