Marius Borg Høiby Gets 4 Years for 34 Offenses as Scandal Erodes Norway Monarchy
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Marius Borg Høiby Gets 4 Years for 34 Offenses as Scandal Erodes Norway Monarchy
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Summary
Four years in prison were imposed on Marius Borg Høiby after he was convicted of 34 of 40 charges, including two rapes and domestic abuse; his lawyers immediately appealed.
The case has deepened pressure on Norway’s royal house because Høiby is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son and the trial has revived scrutiny of palace judgment and transparency.
Mette-Marit’s separate controversy over past contact with Jeffrey Epstein has further damaged trust, with 68% saying her March TV explanation was insufficient and several charities cutting ties.
Support for the monarchy still holds at about two-thirds, but one in three Norwegians now say King Harald V, 89, should be the country’s last monarch.
With a royal son's verdict looming and a princess gravely ill, can Norway's monarchy survive its current crisis?
A dying mother's wish versus public safety: Did the court make the right call in Marius Høiby's case?
Record-Low Support for Norwegian Royals: Marius Borg Høiby Trial and Health Scandals Shake Monarchy
Overview
As the verdict is delivered in the high-profile trial of Marius Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, the Norwegian royal family faces intense public and media scrutiny. The serious allegations against Høiby come at a time when the royal family is already under pressure from multiple crises, including Crown Princess Mette-Marit's worsening health and Queen Sonja's cardiac issues. These events have led to immediate changes in royal schedules and a sharp decline in public support. The trial and its aftermath highlight growing debates about privilege, accountability, and the future role of the monarchy in Norwegian society.