Life was simpler for for Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Back then, few knew of her links to Jeffrey Epstein. Her health, now complicated by chronic fibrosis, appeared to be under control. No one questioned her future role as queen. And the worst that was said about her now-incarcerated eldest son, Marius Borg, was that he was the black sheep of the Norwegian royal family.
As of , Mette-Marit’s life has descended into chaos. While her eldest son faces up to 16 years in prison in a trial gripping the nation, her own situation is no better. She may need a lung transplant, her access to the throne is more questioned than ever, and she has been forced to apologize for past mistakes: “The Crown Princess firmly distances herself from the abuses and criminal acts of Epstein. She deeply regrets not understanding sooner what kind of person he was,” the palace has stated.
It’s little wonder that both Mette-Marit and Marius long for happier times. Like when, in late May , they were invited to a glamorous VIP wedding in sunny Mallorca. The princess and her three children – Marius, Ingrid Alexandra, and Sverre Magnus – attended the event. Haakon stayed home. And who was the bride? None other than Princess Mafalda of Bulgaria, a singer by profession.
The daughter of Prince Kyril of Bulgaria and Rosario Nadal had already said “I do” a few weeks earlier in Boston to Marc Abousleiman, a financier. But on Saturday, , they decided to celebrate a second, intimate wedding at a finca east of Palma, owned by the bride’s mother. Only 150 guests were invited, but among them were names like Infantas Elena and Cristina.
Why were Princess Mette-Marit and her children invited to that wedding? Looking back at the guest list from her own wedding to Haakon in , neither the Spanish Infantas nor any member of the Bulgarian royal family were present. In fact, then Queen Sofía and Prince Felipe were Norway’s representatives. This connection stems from the close friendship Mette-Marit of Norway and Rosario Nadal have maintained for years. Before Kyril of Bulgaria and Rosario Nadal separated in , the two couples often shared vacations in Mallorca. They have also frequently been seen shopping together in Oslo or London, or celebrating the wedding anniversaries of the Norwegian royals.
The secrecy surrounding the wedding meant few details emerged. But we know that Princess Mafalda wore a vintage Valentino wedding dress in ivory, which had belonged to her mother. Rosario Nadal was one of the Italian designer’s great muses. It’s also worth noting that Princess Kalina and her husband, Kitín Muñoz, were not invited.
Their life project together, however, didn’t last long. Two years after the wedding, Ona Mafalda (her stage name) and Marc’s love story ended. Distance – she lived in Spain, he did not – was cited as a possible cause. Regardless, they separated as discreetly as they had lived their relationship. The singer has been dating artist and graphic designer Miguel Ángel Martín for the past year.
The current crisis facing the Norwegian royal family extends beyond the legal troubles of Marius Borg Høiby. The Epstein files revelations have brought intense scrutiny to Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s past associations, forcing a public reckoning with a period she has expressed regret over. The situation is further complicated by the Crown Princess’s ongoing health concerns, with a potential lung transplant looming as a possibility. This confluence of personal and public challenges has undeniably shaken the monarchy, leading to a dip in public approval and raising questions about the future of the royal family.
Marius Borg Høiby’s trial, which began on , is expected to last until . He has pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges of rape and domestic violence, while admitting partial guilt to aggravated assault and reckless behavior. The case has captivated Norway, with the court banning images of Høiby and the media descending upon Oslo. The trial is not only a legal battle but also a test of the monarchy’s resilience in the face of scandal.
The situation is particularly sensitive given Mette-Marit’s own history. Her entry into the royal family as a single mother in was already met with some resistance, and the current crises are amplifying those past concerns. The monarchy’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial in maintaining its relevance and public trust in the years to come.
