On February 3, proceedings will begin at the Oslo District Court against Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Princess Mette-Marit, who faces 32 charges, including four counts of rape. The high-profile case, already dubbed the “trial of the century” in Norway, is expected to last about seven weeks and could carry a sentence of up to 16 years in prison. Making matters worse, Borg recently pleaded guilty to a drug transportation offense.
© LISE ASERUDOn January 12, the Norwegian publication Aftenposten reported that, as the trial approached, Norwegian police searched Borg Høiby’s home while investigating additional alleged crimes. The public broadcaster NRK confirmed new accusations: two violations of a restraining order, three breaches of traffic law, and another drug-related offense.
After a bruising year for Princess Mette-Marit, marked by intense public scrutiny of her son and serious health issues that forced her to scale back on royal engagements, 2026 is opening with the media glare of her son’s trial.
How is the Norwegian royal family behaving in the coming weeks?
© Julian ParkerAccording to the Royal House, it seems like the family will be carrying on as usual. “We are trying to do what we usually do,” said King Harald V on Norwegian television last month.
The court’s opening day will have no official engagements, but the royal calendar will quickly resume its scheduled engagements. On February 4, the palace will host the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, with Crown Prince Haakon attending alongside the King and Queen Sonja. Later that afternoon, King Harald is scheduled to inaugurate a new cancer treatment center at Oslo’s Radiumhospitalet Campus. Additional audiences are planned for February 5 and 6, including a meeting with the prime minister.
On February 7, the King and Queen will travel to Milan in support of the Norwegian athletes competing at the Winter Olympics. Their itinerary includes the men’s and women’s speed skating events and races. Crown Prince Haakon will then take over, heading to Italy on February 14 for a slate of competitions, including the women’s cross-country skiing, men’s ski jumping, men’s freeski big air qualifiers, and the men’s alpine slalom.
© HAKON MOSVOLD LARSENFor now, Princess Mette-Marit has no engagements listed, whilePrincess Ingrid Alexandra is expected to return to Australia to continue her studies at the University of Sydney, where she’s pursuing a Bachelor of Arts program with a focus on international relations and political economy.
No member of the royal family is expected to testify during the trial. Still, the Palace has emphasized its “solidarity with those affected.” “We show them our support and hope they are doing well and can recover quickly after this difficult ordeal,” King Harald said on NRK, with Queen Sonja adding, “It is important to think of everyone in this context.”
© UK Press via Getty Images
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