Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit

Oslo, Norway — The eldest son of the crown princess of Norway has been arrested, just before his trial begins on charges including rape in a case that has been an embarrassment for the royal family, police said Monday.

Marius Borg Høiby was arrested Sunday night on new charges of assault, knife threats and violating a restraining order, police said in a statement. They requested four weeks in prison due to risk of recidivism. His attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment.

Høiby was already due to stand trial on Tuesday at the Oslo district court. The indictment includes 38 counts, including rape, abuse in a close relationship against a former partner, acts of violence against another and transportation of 7.7 pounds of marijuana. Other charges include death threats and traffic violations.

Høiby has been under scrutiny since he was repeatedly arrested in 2024 over various allegations of wrongdoing. He was formally charged in August but was free pending trial until Sunday.

Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship. He is the stepson of the heir to the throne, Crown Prince Haakon, but has no royal title or official duties.

The indictment focuses on four alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024; alleged violence and threats against an ex-partner between summer 2022 and fall 2023; and two alleged acts of violence against a subsequent partner, along with violations of a restraining order.

Høiby’s defense team has said that he “denies all charges of sexual abuse, as well as most charges related to violence.”

Haakon said last week that he and Mette-Marit do not plan to attend court and that the royal household does not intend to comment during the proceedings.

He stressed that Høiby is not part of the royal house and that, as a citizen of Norway, he has the same responsibilities and rights as everyone else. He said he is confident that everyone involved will make the trial as orderly, proper and fair as possible.

While the royal family is generally popular in Norway, the Høiby case has cast a shadow on its image. And the trial begins just as his mother faces renewed scrutiny over her contacts with Jeffrey Epstein.

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit mentioned in Epstein files

Friday release of latest batch of documents from Epstein files focused unflattering attention on Mette-Marit. They contained several hundred mentions of the crown princess, who already said in 2019 that she regretted having had contact with Epstein, Norwegian media reported.

Newly released documents, including email exchanges with Epstein, showed that Mette-Marit borrowed Epstein’s property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in early 2013, and the royal household confirmed she did so through a mutual friend, broadcaster NRK reported.

In an emailed statement from the royal household, Mette-Marit said she “must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background further and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was.”

“I deeply regret this and it is a responsibility I must shoulder. I showed poor judgment and I regret having had any contact with Epstein,” he said. “It’s just embarrassing.”

He expressed his “deep sympathy and solidarity” with the victims of Epstein’s abuse.