Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon Addresses Son’s Trial Amidst Royal Family Scrutiny
Oslo, Norway – Prince Haakon has broken his silence regarding the ongoing trial of his stepson, Marius Borg Høiby, who stands accused of multiple offenses including rape and assault. The trial has brought intense scrutiny upon the Norwegian royal family, compounded by recent revelations concerning Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past associations.
Trial Details and Allegations
Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, is currently on trial at Oslo District Court facing 38 charges, including four counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious offenses and faces a potential prison sentence of up to 16 years if convicted The Guardian.
The case centers around allegations made by Nora Haukland, a 28-year-old influencer and TV personality who was in a relationship with Høiby between 2022 and 2023. Haukland testified that Høiby physically assaulted her, including punching her in the face and kicking her whereas she was on the ground. She also recounted instances of verbal abuse, recalling an audio recording where Høiby called her a “fucking lying whore” The Guardian.
Høiby, but, has denied many of the allegations, describing the relationship as “aggressive” and “loud” with frequent arguments. He admitted to potentially pushing Haukland on a bed but denied choking her or kicking her while she was down Sweden Herald.
Royal Family Response
Prince Haakon addressed the press on January 28, 2026, outlining the royal family’s approach to the trial. He announced that neither he nor Princess Mette-Marit would be present in the courtroom and that they would refrain from commenting on the proceedings Hola.
In a significant move, Prince Haakon confirmed that Crown Princess Mette-Marit would withdraw from all public duties for the duration of the trial. She has planned a private trip during this period, though the length of her absence has not been fully disclosed Hola.
The King and Queen are also scheduled to continue with their official program, including attending the Winter Olympics in Italy, which begin on February 7th Hola.
Høiby’s Emotional Response and Family Support
During the trial, Marius Borg Høiby reportedly became emotional, expressing anger at the way his mother and Prince Haakon were being portrayed in connection with the case. He stated they had consistently worked to support his well-being Sweden Herald.
Haukland had previously testified that she had pleaded with the Crown Prince and Princess to help Høiby seek rehabilitation, a statement that reportedly caused distress to Høiby Sweden Herald.
Additional Context
The trial is occurring amidst heightened scrutiny of the Norwegian royal family following the release of US Justice Department files revealing Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past ties to the late Jeffrey Epstein The Guardian.