Norway’s crown princess’s eldest son was taken into custody just before his trial for various charges, including rape, in a case that has brought shame to the royal family, confirmed authorities on Monday. Marius Borg Høiby was apprehended on Sunday evening on allegations of assault, knife threats, and breaching a restraining order, as stated by the police. They have sought a four-week detention citing concerns about the likelihood of further offenses.
Scheduled for Tuesday at the Oslo district court, Høiby faces a total of 38 accusations, encompassing rape, mistreatment of a former partner, violent acts against another individual, and the transportation of 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. Additional charges comprise issuing death threats and traffic infractions.
Høiby, aged 29, has been under legal scrutiny since multiple arrests in 2024 on various charges, though he had been out on bail until his recent arrest. If found guilty during the upcoming trial, he could potentially receive a prison term of up to 10 years, with proceedings expected to continue until mid-March.
As the child of Mette-Marit from a prior relationship and stepchild of Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby’s legal issues have tarnished the image of the royal family, which is generally well-regarded in Norway.
In a separate development ahead of the trial, the recent release of documents from the Epstein files last Friday shed a negative light on Mette-Marit. These documents contained numerous references to the crown princess, who had previously expressed regret over her association with Epstein in 2019. The newly disclosed emails revealed that Mette-Marit had stayed at one of Epstein’s properties in Palm Beach, Fla., in early 2013, arranged through a mutual acquaintance.
In a statement issued through the royal house, Mette-Marit acknowledged her failure to thoroughly investigate Epstein’s background and expressed deep remorse for her interactions with him. She conveyed her regret and embarrassment over the situation and extended sympathy to Epstein’s victims.
Aside from Mette-Marit’s ties to Epstein and Høiby’s legal troubles, the royal family has faced negative publicity surrounding Princess Märtha Louise, Haakon’s sister, due to criticism of her business ventures. Notably, in 2024, around the same time as Høiby’s case was in the spotlight, Princess Märtha Louise married an American self-proclaimed shaman, Durek Verrett.