Norway Crown Princess’s Son Arrested Again on Eve of Rape Trial/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on new assault and threat charges just before his rape trial. He now faces 38 charges including rape, drug trafficking, and domestic violence. The case, alongside Mette-Marit’s links to Jeffrey Epstein, is intensifying scrutiny on Norway’s royal family.
Quick Look
- Arrested: Sunday evening, Feb. 1, 2026
- New Charges: Assault, knife threats, restraining order violation
- Trial Date: Scheduled to begin Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Oslo
- Total Charges: 38 counts — rape, abuse, drug trafficking, threats
- Detention: Court grants up to 4-week detention
- Family Ties: Son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit; stepson of Crown Prince Haakon
- Royal Response: Royals not attending court, emphasize he’s not part of official royal house
- Context: Mette-Marit also under renewed scrutiny over Epstein links
Deep Look: Norway Crown Princess’ Son Arrested Again on Eve of Rape Trial
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on new allegations just one day before his criminal trial was set to begin in Oslo. Norwegian police confirmed Monday that Høiby was taken into custody Sunday evening after allegedly committing assault, threatening someone with a knife, and violating a restraining order over the weekend.
In response to the latest accusations, the Oslo District Court approved the police’s request to detain Høiby for up to four weeks, citing concerns he may reoffend. His legal team was unavailable for comment.
The new charges come in addition to a 38-count indictment Høiby faces, which includes:
- Four alleged rapes between 2018 and late 2024
- Domestic violence and threats against two former partners
- Transporting 3.5 kilograms of marijuana
- Death threats, restraining order violations, and traffic offenses
Høiby was previously arrested multiple times in 2024 and had been free on bail until this latest incident. His legal defense has maintained that he denies the sexual abuse allegations and most of the other charges.
Though closely related to the Norwegian royal family, Høiby has no official title or duties. He is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship and has been raised within proximity to royal life, as stepson to Crown Prince Haakon.
Speaking last week, Haakon said neither he nor Mette-Marit would attend the proceedings and noted that Marius is a private citizen, not part of the royal institution.
“He has the same rights and responsibilities as any Norwegian,” Haakon said, expressing faith in a fair and orderly trial.
The case is a major embarrassment for Norway’s royal family, traditionally held in high regard. Compounding the situation, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is again under fire following the release of newly unsealed documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files.
While she previously admitted regret over her connections to Epstein in 2019, the documents revealed she borrowed Epstein’s Florida home in 2013 and maintained email contact. In a statement, Mette-Marit expressed “deep regret” and acknowledged her “poor judgment” in associating with Epstein, calling it “simply embarrassing.”
Meanwhile, Norway’s monarchy has faced broader criticism, particularly surrounding Princess Märtha Louise, Haakon’s sister, whose marriage to American shaman Durek Verrett and involvement in controversial business ventures has stirred public concern.
With the trial underway and multiple scandals converging, the Norwegian royals are facing unprecedented public scrutiny, and questions are mounting about the institution’s modern-day relevance and transparency.
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