Rape and assault allegations against the son of Norway’s future queen have plunged the royal family into its “biggest scandal” ever, ending an “Annus Horribilis” for the monarchy.
The legal troubles surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s 27-year-old son, Marius Borg Hoiby, from an affair with Crown Prince Haakon, have dominated headlines in the Scandinavian country since August.
The tall strapping blonde with a “bad boy” look – who is often photographed in a tuxedo, slicked-back hair, earrings and tattoos – was arrested in Oslo on August 4 on suspicion of attacking his girlfriend the previous night.
A photo of a knife stuck in the wall of his apartment soon appeared in the media, with news reports stating that Hoibi turned in a partially destroyed cell phone with no SIM card to the police.
Hoiby admitted the attack and damage a few days later, saying in a written statement to the media that they were the result of a cocaine- and alcohol-fueled argument.
He said he struggled with “long-term substance abuse” and “mental health issues.”
Hoibi, who has friends in criminal circles, was raised with his two half-siblings but has no official role in the royal family, according to media.
His legal troubles have been increasing since August.
Two ex-girlfriends have come forward to say that Hoiby had assaulted them as well.
By December, police suspicions against him included death threats, violation of a restraining order, two counts of rape and a third possible sexual offense.
When the first rape allegations emerged in November, Høiby spent a week in police custody – unprecedented for a member of the Norwegian royal family.
“It’s snowing and it feels like it won’t stop,” said Sigrid Hvidsten, a columnist for the daily Dagbladet.
“This is the biggest scandal the Norwegian royal family has ever seen.”
Police have not yet filed any charges against Hoibi, who has so far only admitted assault and damage as well as death threats against an unidentified person during the night of 3–4 August.
While the saga is far from over, the saga is the culmination of a challenging year for Norway’s royal family, its own “Annus Horribilis,” Hvidston said.
criticism of marriage
Norway’s royal family has been extremely popular and scandal-free for decades.
But even before the Hoeby affair, its image had been tarnished by the second marriage of Princess Martha Louise in August.
The 53-year-old eldest child of King Harald and Queen Sonja married Durek Verrett, an American self-proclaimed exorcist.
Both are alternative medicine devotees: she claims to be a clairvoyant who can talk to angels; He calls himself a “sixth generation magician” and sells precious gold medallions, which he says save lives, prompting critics to call him a fraud.
The couple has faced severe criticism for using her royal title for commercial gain, which intensified when they signed a deal with Hello! Magazine and Netflix for special coverage of their wedding.
In 2017, the royal family had the support of 81 percent of Norwegians, but this had fallen to 62 percent by September this year.
Adding to the family’s misfortune, 87-year-old King Harald has suffered a number of health problems.
In February, Europe’s oldest monarch had to be flown home on a medical transport plane after contracting the infection while on holiday in Malaysia.
He was then sent on long sick leave.
In a sign of things to come, the government earmarked 20 million kroner ($1.8 million) in October for the king and queen’s coffins to be installed in the royal mausoleum in Oslo.
down but not out
The aging King has only briefly, and indirectly, addressed the family’s struggles.
“Sometimes, life is very difficult. This is something that everyone, including our family, can experience,” he said in late October.
He said, “When people we love are not doing well, it becomes difficult for everyone around them. We are trying our best to take care of each other.”
Experts say the monarchy will survive as long as scandals concern only peripheral royals.
The king, queen and crown prince couples are all extremely popular.
Tor Boman-Larsen, author of several royal biographies, said, “A republic is not an immediate threat.”
“Even the worst polls show that there are twice as many Norwegians who support the monarchy. As long as its central members are in line, the monarchy is safe.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
