"Norwegian Royal Family in Crisis: Crown Princess's 'Epstein Ties' and Stepson Arrested for Assault"

Arrested Again on Eve of Trial for Four Counts of Sexual Assault
Crown Princess Mentioned Over 1,000 Times in Epstein Documents
Crown Prince Haakon: "Everyone Is Equal Before the Law"

The Norwegian royal family is facing public scrutiny due to a series of scandals involving private life and criminal allegations. While Crown Princess Mette-Marit, wife of Haakon, the first in line to the throne, has come under fire for her association with American billionaire and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, her eldest son, who is awaiting trial on sexual assault charges, has been arrested again.

On February 2, Yonhap News, citing the Associated Press and other sources, reported that Norwegian police had arrested Marius Borg Høiby, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on charges of assault, threats with a weapon, and violation of a restraining order. Local media reported that the alleged crimes are believed to have occurred over the past weekend.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit (right) and her eldest son Marius Borg Høiby. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Previously, the Oslo District Court accepted the police's request to detain him for up to four weeks, citing the risk of repeat offenses. Høiby had already been indicted on a total of 38 charges-including four counts of sexual assault, violence against a former partner, drug possession, and traffic violations-and was scheduled to stand trial starting February 3. Until now, he had been awaiting trial without detention and admitted to assaulting his girlfriend and damaging property in the house while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. However, he reportedly denies the sexual assault charges and most of the violence-related allegations.

Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship before she married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. He does not hold royal status and is not in the line of succession. Last week, Crown Prince Haakon commented on his stepson's trial, stating, "Høiby is not a member of the royal family and, as a Norwegian citizen, has the same rights and obligations as everyone else. I believe that the judicial process will proceed in an orderly and fair manner."

Meanwhile, another controversy surrounding Høiby's biological mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, is further pressuring the royal family. In the so-called "Epstein documents" recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice, the name of Crown Princess Mette-Marit appeared more than 1,000 times, drawing renewed attention to her relationship with Epstein. In a statement sent to AFP, the Crown Princess said, "I lacked judgment and deeply regret having been in contact with Epstein. I failed to examine his background more closely and did not understand quickly enough what kind of person he was." With the international scandal involving Epstein and the serious criminal trial of the Crown Princess's eldest son coinciding, observers note that the Norwegian royal family is facing an unprecedented "double crisis" and is under intense public scrutiny.