Norway Royal Family Crisis: Epstein Files & Prince’s Trial Rock Monarchy
- Oslo – As Norway’s King Harald V approaches his 89th birthday later this month, the nation’s monarchy faces a period of unprecedented scrutiny and challenge.
- The most immediate challenge centers on the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
- Simultaneously, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is under intense public and political pressure following revelations stemming from the release of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Oslo – As Norway’s King Harald V approaches his 89th birthday later this month, the nation’s monarchy faces a period of unprecedented scrutiny and challenge. Two separate, yet deeply intertwined, crises are unfolding, impacting public perception of the royal house and prompting questions about its future.
The most immediate challenge centers on the trial of Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old stepson of Crown Prince Haakon and son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Høiby is standing trial in Oslo on 38 counts, including allegations of rape, domestic violence, and assault. The trial commenced on , with Høiby pleading not guilty to the most serious charges, while admitting partial guilt to others, including aggravated assault and reckless driving.
Simultaneously, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is under intense public and political pressure following revelations stemming from the release of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The documents, released , reportedly contain nearly 1,000 mentions of the Crown Princess, detailing years of contact with Epstein. One email exchange from has drawn particular criticism, in which she inquired about the appropriateness of providing “two naked women carrying a surfboard” as wallpaper for her then-15-year-old son.
The unfolding situation has prompted an unusual level of intervention from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who publicly acknowledged Mette-Marit’s “poor judgement” and called for further transparency. The Crown Princess herself released a statement on expressing “deepest regret” for her friendship with Epstein and apologizing for the situation she has created for the royal family.
Crown Prince Haakon addressed reporters, acknowledging the multiple challenges facing the family. “We support Marius in the situation he is in, we look after the other children, they must also be looked after, and I have to look after and take care of the crown princess,” he said, adding that Mette-Marit also provides him with support.
The dual crises are demonstrably impacting public opinion. A recent poll conducted by the newspaper Aftenposten revealed a significant decline in support for the monarchy, falling from 72% in to 54% currently. Three separate polls now indicate that nearly half of the Norwegian population believes Mette-Marit should not ascend to the throne when Crown Prince Haakon eventually becomes king.
The timing of these events is particularly sensitive, coming shortly after a period of public sympathy for the Crown Princess following her disclosure in December that she will likely require a lung transplant due to pulmonary fibrosis. Some organizations with which she is associated as a royal patron are now reportedly considering severing ties.
Political analyst Kjetil B Alstadheim of Aftenposten emphasized the gravity of the Epstein revelations, stating that they pose a greater threat to the monarchy than the Høiby trial. “She is supposed to be queen one day, so that’s more difficult,” Alstadheim said. “The others are side stories. Difficult stories but side stories. So it hits the family in a more direct way.”
Prime Minister Støre’s public criticism of a member of the royal family is unprecedented, and his call for Mette-Marit to provide further information is considered highly unusual.
While the Norwegian monarchy has weathered previous scandals – including controversy surrounding Mette-Marit’s background as a single mother before her marriage in , and the business ventures of Princess Märtha Louise – the current situation is described as being of a different magnitude.
Despite the shifting public sentiment, a recent parliamentary vote on the future of the monarchy demonstrated continued political support for the institution. On , only 26 members of parliament voted in favor of abolishing the monarchy, compared to 141 who voted to retain it. This outcome, while reaffirming the monarchy’s position, did not prevent the Norge Som Republikk, the Norwegian republican association, from arguing that the vote should have been postponed until more information regarding the conduct of the Crown Princess and Marius Borg Høiby became available.
Journalist Vilde Helljesen of the state broadcaster NRK noted that many Norwegians are awaiting a more comprehensive explanation from Mette-Marit regarding the extent of her relationship with Epstein. “She has said that she regrets her contact with Epstein and that she should have better researched his past and apologised for that,” Helljesen said. “However, the recent files have left new questions unanswered.”
the decision regarding royal titles rests with King Harald V. As long as Mette-Marit remains the wife of the heir to the throne, she is expected to become queen – or hold whatever title the king deems appropriate – upon Haakon’s accession.