Norwegian crown princess’s son arrested amid Epstein file controversy

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on February 1 on suspicion of assault, making threats with a knife, and breaching a restraining order, days before his trial for 38 charges, including rape, domestic abuse, and illegal filming, is set to begin in Oslo.

Høiby has denied the most serious charges, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Police have requested that he remain in custody for four weeks to prevent reoffending.

Høiby’s arrest coincides with heightened scrutiny of the crown princess after her name appeared nearly 1,000 times in newly unsealed US Justice Department files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Mette-Marit has expressed regret over her contact with Epstein, describing it as “poor judgment” and “simply embarrassing.” She said she felt deep sympathy for Epstein’s victims and admitted she “did not check Epstein’s background more closely.”

Journalist Shazia Majid said the timing of the revelations had struck “at the worst possible time,” noting a “strong sense of anger and disappointment” among the public. Craig Aaen-Stockdale of Norway as a Republic, added, “The popularity of the monarchy has crashed among the general population. Everybody is pretty angry.”

Despite the controversy, experts suggest support for the royal family may recover over time. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “The crown princess herself has stated that she has shown poor judgment, which I agree with.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev