Haakon reacts to the arrest of Mette-Marit's son

Rape allegations against Marius

Stepson arrested: Prince Haakon reacts emotionally

The son of Norway's Princess Mette-Marit is again in police custody. Her husband surprises with his statement about this.

For weeks, one topic has been overshadowing the otherwise seemingly healthy world of the Norwegian royals: there are serious allegations against Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon. At the end of August, the 27-year-old was arrested for assault and property damage. He confessed to physically attacking his then-girlfriend “under the influence of alcohol and cocaine” and destroying things in her apartment.

Since then, other women have accused Marius of domestic violence. Now there is a suspicion of rape. Mette-Marit's son is said to have violated a criminal law paragraph “that concerns sexual intercourse with a person who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to defend themselves,” the police said after the Norwegian was arrested again on Monday – the third within four months. According to his lawyer, Marius denies the new allegations.

Another shock for Mette-Marit, which she now has to endure alone. Her husband is currently in Jamaica, where he is a special ambassador for the UN development program UNDP. While the palace remained silent, Crown Prince Haakon commented on his stepson. “These are serious allegations that Marius is facing,” he told radio station NRK. Our thoughts are with everyone affected and we trust that the police and judiciary are doing a good job.

Then the 51-year-old became surprisingly emotional. “Perhaps I could add that I would like to be at home with Mette today. I miss her,” emphasized Haakon before he returned to his task on site. The royal will carry out his duties in Jamaica until November 20th and then depart. Further appointments on the following days were deleted from the calendar without any official explanation. However, it is obvious that Haakon wants to return to his wife's side as quickly as possible to support her.

Marius is the Crown Prince's stepson. He comes from Mette-Marit's relationship with Morten Borg, but grew up in the palace with his half-siblings, 20-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra and 18-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus. When his mother married, the then four-year-old was accepted into the royal family as a new member, but Crown Prince Haakon never adopted Marius. He therefore has no title and is not officially a royal.