Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been arrested on charges of a knife attack, just days before the start of his ongoing rape trial. The 29-year-old, who is also the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, appeared before Oslo authorities on Tuesday, with proceedings in the new case expected to begin shortly.
Norwegian police have placed Høiby in custody for four weeks, citing concerns over the risk of further criminal activity. Oslo Police reported that Høiby was apprehended on Sunday evening for alleged physical assault, threats involving a knife, and violation of a court-issued restraining order.
Høiby faces a total of 38 formal complaints. These allegations range from sexual assault and domestic violence to the covert recording of multiple women without their consent. The breakdown of the most serious allegations is as follows:
| Allegation Type | Number of Cases | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 4 | Four separate cases of sexual assault filed over several years |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | Alleged physical and psychological abuse of a former partner |
| Covert Filming | Multiple | Unauthorised video recording of women without consent |
| Threats / Knife Attack | 1 | Recent alleged incident involving a knife |
| Breach of Restraining Order | 1 | Violation of a court-issued restraining order |
Høiby has denied the rape allegations and other serious charges. However, prosecutors successfully argued for continued detention, citing the risk of repeat offences. Oslo District Court confirmed he will remain in custody until 2 March or until further judicial decision. Prosecutor Andreas Krushevski stated: “Marius Borg Høiby has been arrested on charges of causing bodily harm, threatening with a knife, and breaching a restraining order.”
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Crown Princess herself. Mette-Marit has faced criticism following the release of documents linking her to the late American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. According to the documents, her name appears nearly a thousand times, revealing contact with Epstein between 2011 and 2014. In a public statement on Saturday, the Crown Princess expressed deep regret: “These documents show my poor judgment. I am profoundly sorry for any contact I had with Epstein. It is deeply embarrassing.”
Norway is currently witnessing significant public debate over the monarchy’s role. Popular tabloid journalist Shazia Majid described the timing of the revelations as “the worst possible moment,” noting widespread public anger and frustration. On Tuesday, the Norwegian Parliament is expected to vote on a proposal to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic—a measure considered unlikely to pass but which may gain more support than in previous years.
Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasised transparency, stating, “Just because a name appears in the documents does not prove guilt. Those involved should speak openly about the facts.” Former Prime Minister Thorbjørn Jagland’s name also appears in the Epstein files, linked to a proposed family visit to Epstein’s island in 2013–2014, which he confirmed never took place.
The combined controversies surrounding Marius Høiby and Crown Princess Mette-Marit have placed Norway’s royal family under unprecedented public scrutiny, raising questions about both accountability and the monarchy’s future.