Norway’s Monarchy Faces Crisis as Support Plummets Amid Scandals
Support for the Norwegian monarchy has reached a record low, even as King Harald V prepares to celebrate his 89th birthday on Saturday, . A recent poll commissioned by NRK reveals that just 60 percent of Norwegians now support the monarchy – the lowest figure ever recorded. This marks a significant decline from 70 percent support just a month ago, a drop attributed to a series of unfolding scandals involving members of the royal family.
The most prominent challenge stems from revelations regarding Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s relationship with the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. New documents detailing extensive contact between the two have recently come to light, sparking public outcry and scrutiny. Simultaneously, the trial of Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, is underway in Oslo County Court, where he faces multiple charges including rape and assault.
The fallout has been particularly stark in public perception of the Crown Princess. Her popularity has plummeted, halving in a single month from an average rating of 7.4 on a ten-point scale to just 3.7. This dramatic decline raises questions about her future role within the monarchy, with some questioning whether she can ever become queen.
While the Crown Princess’s standing has suffered, King Harald remains popular, receiving an average score of 9.2 out of 10 as a representative of the royal family. Queen Sonja also enjoys strong support, with a rating of 8.6. However, the troubles surrounding Mette-Marit and her son are casting a shadow over the entire institution.
Crown Prince Haakon’s popularity has also seen a decrease, falling from an average of 8.8 a year and a half ago to 7.9. His daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, has also experienced a dip in public approval, moving from 8.5 to 7.3, following an incident where she publicly criticized media coverage on her private Instagram account, which has 800 followers, describing it as personal attacks.
Despite the growing discontent, the Norwegian Parliament recently reaffirmed its support for the constitutional monarchy on . A vote on proposals to replace the monarchy with a republic failed, with 141 MPs voting against the change and only 26 in favor. Some MPs emphasized that their support for the monarchy was a matter of principle, separate from their assessment of the current royal family’s performance.
However, the trend towards republican sentiment is evident. The proportion of Norwegians who favor a different form of government has increased from 19 percent in January to 27 percent in February. This shift reflects a broader debate about the relevance of a hereditary monarchy in a modern, democratic society.
The current crisis represents the biggest challenge to the Norwegian monarchy in recent history. While Parliament has demonstrated its continued support, the declining public trust, particularly surrounding Crown Princess Mette-Marit, poses a significant threat to the institution’s long-term stability. Norwegians await further explanation from the Crown Princess regarding her relationship with Epstein and the outcome of her son’s trial will undoubtedly further shape public opinion.
