The son of Norway’s crown princess has been arrested on suspicion of assault just days before he is set to stand trial for rape charges.
Marius Borg Høiby, who is the stepson of the future King, Crown Prince Haakon, was arrested on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife and violating a restraining order on Sunday evening, Norwegian Police confirmed.
It comes just two days before Høiby is set to stand trial in Oslo, accused of 38 counts, including four counts of rape and assaults against ex-girlfriends.
He has denied the most serious charges but has already admitted to some of the minor offences.
Høiby, 29, is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship. She and Prince Haakon also share two children: Princess Ingrid and her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, 19.
In a statement earlier today, Andreas Kruszewski, a police attorney in Oslo police district, said: ‘The Oslo police district can confirm that Marius Borg Høiby was arrested by the police on Sunday evening, charged with assault, threats with a knife and violation of a restraining order.’
Police requested that Høiby be remanded in custody for the next four weeks ‘on the grounds of risk of reoffending’.
His impending rape trial, scheduled to last until March 19, is expected to attract intense media coverage.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, pictured next to his mother, Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit
Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Marius Borg Høiby, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit attend the celebrations of Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Official Day in 2022
Pictured (L-R): Norway’s Queen Sonja, King Harald, Prince Sverre Magnus, Marius Borg Høiby, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Princess Mette-Marit, and Prince Haakon
However for the next seven weeks, pictures of the royal defendant have been banned both inside and outside the courtroom.
Several ex-girlfriends are now plaintiffs in the case against him, and he is under strict orders to not contact them.
He faces more than 10 years in prison if the Oslo district court finds him guilty.
Høiby has become the first ever royal family member to have been charged with a crime and is no longer publicly listed as part of the Scandinavian household.
The charges have rocked the royal family, with backing for the household falling from 81 percent in 2017 to 62 percent last September.
Once known affectionately as ‘Little Marius’, Høiby grew up in the public eye, enjoying the same wealth and privilege as his royal siblings, although his biological father, Morten Borg, served time in prison for drugs and violent offences.
He has largely continued his life as normal since the charges came to light in August last year, and has since jetted off with friends to Hemsedal, Copenhagen and Italy.
The son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also spent time at rehab centres in London since his arrest.
