The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been arrested by police on suspicion of assault, just before he goes on trial in Oslo on Tuesday on 38 charges, including the rape of four women.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, was remanded in custody for four weeks. Police stated that the latest allegations against him involved wielding a knife and violating a restraining order, indicating a risk of reoffending.
This latest arrest marks the fourth time Høiby has been detained since August 2024, when he was accused of assaulting a former partner. While he has denied the most serious charges, he has admitted to some lesser ones.
The royal family is facing increased scrutiny, particularly as revelations surfaced about Høiby's mother's communication with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. Crown Princess Mette Marit has since expressed regret over her 'poor judgement' in maintaining those contacts and extended her sympathy to Epstein's victims.
The controversy only adds to the challenges faced by the royal household, as Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called her actions 'unusual' and 'embarrassing.' Questions linger over the royal family's handling of personal conduct amidst these legal issues.
Norwegians are struggling to reconcile the honorable image of the monarchy with the actions of its members, emphasized by Høiby’s numerous serious charges that range from rape to drug offenses. The Oslo District Court agreed to a police request for his custody to prevent further incidents as he approaches trial.
As the situation unfolds, Crown Prince Haakon has reached out to express condolences to the victims, emphasizing the impact of this scandal on many individuals involved.
