Norway’s royal family is encountering its “largest scandal” after multiple allegations of rape and assault emerged against Marius Borg Hoiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who was born from a previous relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. The scandal has eclipsed the monarchy’s year, labeled as an “annus horribilis. ”
Hoiby’s legal troubles have been in the news since August, when he was detained in Oslo under suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend. Reports quickly appeared concerning a knife embedded in the wall of her apartment, and Hoiby submitted a broken cell phone to the police. He confessed to the assault, blaming it on a cocaine- and alcohol-induced argument, disclosing that he had been struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.
Since then, further allegations have emerged, which include claims from two former girlfriends. By December, the police inquiry had broadened to encompass death threats, breach of a restraining order, two rapes, and a potential third sexual offense. Hoiby spent a week in custody following the initial rape allegation that surfaced in November, representing an unprecedented situation for a royal family member.
“It’s escalating, and it appears it can’t be halted,” stated columnist Sigrid Hvidsten. “It’s the most significant scandal in the history of the Norwegian royal family. ”
Despite the growing allegations, no formal charges have been brought against Hoiby, who has merely admitted to the assault and damage that occurred on the night of August 3-4, as well as death threats towards an unnamed person.
This scandal concludes a difficult year for Norway’s royal family. Earlier this year, Princess Martha Louise’s second marriage to self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett sparked controversy. Detractors accused the couple of leveraging the royal title for commercial gain, particularly after securing exclusive agreements for wedding coverage with media outlets.
Alongside the scandals, King Harald, 87, encountered health challenges, including an infection while holidaying in Malaysia, which resulted in a prolonged sick leave. Despite these obstacles, the monarchy remains steadfast, as its primary members, such as the king, queen, and crown prince couple, continue to enjoy high levels of favor.
“As long as its key members maintain their stance, the monarchy is secure,” remarked royal biographer Tor Bomann-Larsen.
