Norwegian royal scandal unfolds: Crown Prince Haakon’s stepson accused of rape and abuse

A Norwegian royal scandal has erupted as Marius Borg Høiby, the 27-year-old stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested on suspicion of rape. The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Høiby was taken into custody on Monday evening, following a police investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.

The police statement clarified that the charges are related to a sexual act in which the victim was unable to resist, falling under the criminal code concerning sexual acts with individuals who are unconscious or otherwise incapable of resisting. While the specifics of the alleged rape remain unclear, the police indicated that the incident did not involve intercourse.

Høiby’s legal troubles date back to earlier this year. On August 4, he was initially arrested following an altercation at a woman’s apartment in Oslo. Authorities reported that the confrontation resulted in physical harm to the resident, and a knife was reportedly found embedded in one of the bedroom walls. The woman involved, with whom Høiby had a relationship, did not sustain serious injuries. He was subsequently charged with causing bodily harm.

The August incident prompted further legal complications for Høiby, as he was arrested again in September for violating a restraining order placed against him. According to police, he was found in a car with the alleged victim from the August altercation when he was arrested on Monday. In addition to the rape charge, authorities have now added allegations of domestic abuse related to the earlier incident.

Høiby, who was born in 1997, is the product of Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s previous relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001. While he was raised alongside his younger step-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18, Høiby does not hold an official public role within the Norwegian royal family.

Although he has no formal royal duties, Høiby is a familiar figure in the media due to his status as the Crown Princess’s son. His recent legal troubles have drawn significant public attention, especially with the gravity of the accusations against him. The Norwegian royal family has not yet made an official statement regarding the ongoing investigations or Høiby’s arrest.

Police are still assessing whether to remand Høiby in custody as they continue their investigations. The case has become a subject of intense public interest, as it involves a member of the royal family and raises concerns about his behavior both in the domestic sphere and in relation to his interactions with the law.

This scandal marks a significant moment in the life of the Norwegian royal family, overshadowing the typical royal duties and public appearances associated with the monarchy. The developments come at a time when the royal family has remained in the public eye, especially with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s role as senior members of the Norwegian monarchy.

The allegations against Høiby are not the first public controversies to surround members of the royal family, but they are the most serious in recent years. While Norwegian authorities continue to investigate the allegations, it remains to be seen how this incident will affect the public image of both Høiby and the Norwegian royal family as a whole.

As of now, police have yet to make a final determination regarding Høiby’s legal status, but the ongoing investigation has already cast a shadow over the Norwegian monarchy. The case will likely remain in the spotlight as more details emerge from the ongoing police inquiry.