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The Norwegian Royal Palace has made a new statement about Crown Princess Mette-Marit after her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was indicted on 32 charges, including rape
Marius is Mette-Marit’s 28-year-old son from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon
Crown Prince Haakon said that the royal family plans to continue with its public work when Marius’ trial begins in 2026
The Norwegian Royal Palace released a new statement about Crown Princess Mette-Marit the day after her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was charged with 32 crimes, including rape, domestic violence and assault.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit turned 52 on Tuesday, Aug. 19, and the royal court released a new portrait of her to commemorate the occasion.
“Happy birthday to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who celebrates her birthday today!” courtiers wrote below the photo with emojis of a smiling face and sparkles.
The undated photo was credited to Carina Johansen, NTB, and showed Mette-Marit softly smiling and gazing past the camera.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s birthday fell on the day after major news for her family. On Aug. 18, Norway’s state prosecutor charged her son Marius with 32 crimes, including one count of rape with sexual intercourse and three counts of rape without intercourse, CBS and Reuters reported.
Marius, 28, is Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne and future king of Norway.
In August 2024, Marius was arrested after authorities alleged he “attacked” a 20-year-old woman “psychologically and physically,” Se og Hør reported at the time.
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP/Getty
Marius Borg Hoiby and Crown Princes Mette-Marit on June 16, 2022.
According to Reuters, Marius’ attorney said that he denies the most serious allegations, including those of rape and domestic violence, but intends to plead guilty to some of the lesser charges in court when the trial begins.
The trial is expected to kick off in January 2026 and run for six weeks, and the maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to 10 years.
On Aug. 19, Crown Prince Haakon, 52, broke his silence after his stepson was indicted and underscored that the royal family would continue with their public work when Marius heads to trial next year.
“We will continue to carry out our duties as best we can, as we always do. Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult,” Crown Prince Haakon said at the opening of an industry conference.
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit share children Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, and Mette-Marit’s son Marius does not hold a working royal role.
He is not in the line of succession to the Norwegian throne, and in 2017, it was announced that he would lead a private life.
Though Marius does not have the obligation of official duties, he often joins his royal relatives for special occasions and festive events.
LISE ASERUD/NTB/AFP via Getty
Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra (front C) poses for a family photo with (front L and R) Norway’s King Harald V and Norway’s Queen Sonja and (back LtoR) Marit Tjessem, Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Hoiby on the occasion of a gala dinner for her 18th birthday in Oslo on June 17, 2022.
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He was last photographed with the royal family at the 18th birthday celebrations for Princess Ingrid Alexandra in 2022.
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