Marius Borg Høiby is the 27-year-old son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, arrested in Oslo on Monday, Nov. 18, on preliminary charges of rape. Charges have to do with allegations that Høiby had sexual relations with a person who was either unconscious or otherwise unable to resist; such is a serious offense under Norwegian law, carrying with it a possible prison sentence of as much as ten years upon conviction.
The police report also adds that the case involves a victim who is alleged to have been incapacitated at the time of the incident. They arrested Høiby, and after that, they had him searched his residence and seized several things. It’s only now left for the authorities to establish in the shortest time if Høiby is to be kept in custody as the process progresses.
This is not the first time Høiby has run into legal troubles. In August this year, he was charged with bodily harm and criminal damage after a disturbance at an apartment of a woman in Oslo. Just one month later, in September, he was yet again arrested on a charge of violating a restraining order.
Marius Borg Høiby was Crown Princess Mette-Marit‘s son from a previous relationship; he was born before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. He has no official royal duties and carries no title, but his close relation to Norway’s monarchy has meant that significant public and media interest has been paid to him. The reputation of a royal family noted for stability, and an air of approachability now faces the possibility of being tainted by the present scandal.
The arrest has triggered broad reactions across Norway. Many Norwegians expressed surprise and disappointment; some underlined due process and a proper probe. The case has also reopened debates about privilege and accountability. “No one should be above the law, no matter their status or family ties,” said an Oslian. However, royal experts warn of the possible long-term damage to the royal family’s public image.
So far, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and other members of the royal family have not commented on the matter themselves and instead directed everyone to Høiby’s lawyer and the police. This may have been a positive move to ensure that the legal process does not have so much added scrutiny and speculative pressures.
The Norwegian media have covered the story in depth, with some making wide-ranging comparisons to other past controversies associated with the royal family. These range from the relationship between Princess Märtha Louise and the American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett, accused of exploiting his relationship with a royal, to the fact that before marrying Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit had been hanging out with some people involved in drug-related activities.
This case cuts closer to the bone of the royal family’s image in Norway, a country that views its monarchy as somewhat approachable and low-key. While the legal process is incomplete, it has become an affair that fuels speculation about the future of the general public’s acceptance of the royal family. Until further notice, all eyes stay on the unraveling investigation and what it will mean for Norway’s monarchy institution.
