Senior members of the Norwegian Royal Family have come forward to discuss Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and his upcoming trial. Marius is facing charges for 32 offenses, including alleged rapes of four women and acts of domestic violence against a former partner, with the trial set to commence in the new year.
While the family had previously maintained silence regarding Marius’s charges, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, as well as King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway, have now addressed the accusations openly. Mette-Marit expressed her distress over the allegations against her son and refuted claims that she had warned Marius about his impending arrest.
In an interview with The Times, Mette-Marit stated, “It has been incredibly difficult to face such serious accusations, which I had no involvement in. What truly upsets me is the criticism regarding our handling of the situation as parents. We took it very seriously, and seeking professional help for our son demonstrates that.” She emphasized the vulnerability of being a parent and the self-blame that comes with it.
The Crown Princess highlighted the family’s stance on the matter, emphasizing that they believe in letting the legal system address the issue. King Harald acknowledged the challenge of preparing for Høiby’s trial and expressed the family’s support for those affected.
Marius’s trial dates have been confirmed, scheduled to take place in the Oslo District Court from February 3 to March 14 next year. The charges against him include alleged rape, abuse in a close relationship, acts of violence, making death threats, and traffic violations.