Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was pictured looking strained today during an official engagement amid her son Marius Borg Høiby’s legal woes.
Earlier this month, Høiby, 28, was charged with 32 offences including four counts of rape against different women.
Today, his mother attended the 100th anniversary of Gamlehaugen Castle – the King’s official residence in Bergen since 1925 – alongside her husband Crown Prince Haakon and Queen Sonja.
Moving her sunglasses away from her face, she appeared downcast while awaiting an event for primary school pupils and was seen with a somber expression while talking to her husband, who is the future King.
The family appeared to put on a united display for the joint engagement, with Mette-Marit managing to wave to crowds upon arrival, before playing games and taking part in face painting with the school pupils.
She was dressed smartly for her first public appearance since news of Høiby’s charges, pairing a bright tie-dye shirt with a white T-shirt and linen trousers.
Høiby, who was born from Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship prior to Prince Haakon, has been under investigation since his arrest on August 4 last year on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend.
According to Norwegian outlet NRK, his charges include four rapes of four different woman between 2018 and 2024, abuse against his former partner Nora Haukland and several acts of violence against another former partner.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was pictured looking strained today during an official engagement amid her son Marius Borg Høiby’s legal woes
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon awaits an event for primary school pupils to mark the 100th anniversary of Gamlehaugen
On all occasions, Hoiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping and filmed the assaults. The assaults also allegedly occurred after Hoiby and the women had consensual intercourse.
He has also been charged with making death threats, assaulting a public official and violating the road traffic act.
Last week, Haakon, the son of Norway’s King Harald, described the situation as ‘challenging and difficult.’
During a royal engagement in Trondheim, Trøndelag, last Tuesday, he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: ‘Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult.’
He added: ‘It has now been clarified what the charges will be. It is now up to the court to decide.’
Haakon, who married Høiby’s mother Mette-Marit in 2001, also stressed that the royal family will continue to carry out its duties.
Høiby does not hold a royal title and is not included in the royal line of succession.
Presenting the indictment against Høiby earlier this month, public prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø told NRK that he will face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison following a six-week trial in January.
Henriksbø said: ‘This case is very serious. Rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives.’
Høiby, 28, who is the stepson of the future King of Norway, Crown Prince Haakon, has been under investigation since his arrest on August 4 last year on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend
The family appeared to put on a united display for the joint engagement, with Mette-Marit managing to wave to crowds upon arrival
Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon, who is the future King of Norway
Moving her sunglasses away from her face, she appeared downcast while awaiting an event for primary school pupils
The royal was dressed smartly for her first public appearance since news of Høiby’s charges, pairing a bright tie-dye shirt with a white T-shirt and linen trousers
Hoiby was born as a result of a relationship before Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s marriage to Crown Prince Haakon.
He is said to have ‘strongly denied’ the ‘essentials’ of the allegations against him, which include rape allegations.
It comes after Høiby had his diplomatic passport revoked, according to reports, shortly after he enjoyed a five-day holiday in Portugal with his stepfather and half brother Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
The specific reasons why he had to surrender the passport are unknown, according to national paper Se og Hør.
At the end of June, Oslo police announced charges against Høiby on multiple counts, including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a ‘double-digit’ number of alleged victims.
State Attorney Sturla Henriksbø has stated that there would be further clarity regarding his charges in August – and this has now come to light.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Se og Hør last week that Høiby no longer has a diplomatic passport, but didn’t answer specific questions about why.
Høiby is reported to have had both a diplomatic and standard passport since he was young. While members of the Royal House have diplomatic passports, other members of the Royal Family use standard ones after turning 18, under new rules that came into effect around six months ago.
Marius Borg Høiby has been charged with 32 offences including four rapes (seen in 2022 with his mother Princess Mette-Marit)
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Marius Hoiby are pictured together in Oslo in 2014
According to Se og Hør, it is not known exactly when Høiby had to surrender the document, and it could have been as recently as six months ago.
At the end of November last year, the 28-year-old was detained by police for a week, while they conducted an investigation into allegations against him – to ensure there was no tampering of evidence.
Oslo Police Attorney Andreas Kruszewski said Høiby was cooperative during police questioning, which is now complete.
Evidence in the case was drawn from sources including text messages, witness testimonies and police searches, the police attorney said.
In November, Prince Haakon addressed his stepson’s arrest, telling Norwegian news outlet NRK: ‘Marius is facing serious accusations, which the police and the judiciary will deal with. I am convinced they will do a good job.
‘As a family and as parents, we have wanted Marius to receive help and we have been working for a long time to get him to a place where he can receive more help.
‘It is something we give a lot of priority to. It must be done within the framework established by the legal system.’
Høiby previously lived with the royal couple and their two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, but now lives in a separate house nearby, according to Sekulic.
Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Høiby (pictured far right) in 2019 in Oslo
Pictured from L to R: Queen Sonja, King Harald, Prince Sverre Magnus, Marius Borg Hoiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and Crown Prince Haakon in Oslo, 2022
Once known affectionately as ‘Little Marius’, Høiby grew up in the public eye, enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morten Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences. Høiby has acknowledged cocaine use and addiction.
Despite allegations, it was reported that Høiby partied it up at Cannes Film Festival earlier this summer, according to Se og Hør. He joined Norwegian businessman Per Morten Hansen, who is a good friend of his father, Morten Borg.
He was also seen on board the 165-foot motor yacht ‘Da Vinci’, a speed marvel worth 20 million dollars and owned by entrepreneur and multi-billionaire Vincent Tchenguiz.
After his trip at sea, the Crown Princess’s son and his pals went to Île Sainte-Marguerite, a small island off the coast of Cannes. The spot is popular with celebrities such as Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyoncé, and the Kardashians.
They visited the very exclusive and private La Guérite beach club on the island, which can only be reached via boat. There, Høiby partied with businessman Rehan Syed, who lives a lavish lifestyle featuring fast boats and cars, as seen on his Instagram account.
He has largely continued his life as normal since the charges came to light in August last year, and has since jetted off with friends to Hemsedal, Copenhagen and Italy.
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also spent time at rehab centres in London since his arrest.
Høiby’s defence attorney, Ellen Holager Andenæs, said: ‘I have no knowledge of this and therefore have no comments to give.’