Royal Rift? Scandals Rock Norwegian Crown as Marriage of Haakon and Mette-Marit Faces Scrutiny
For 23 years, the marriage of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has been viewed as a cornerstone of stability within the European royal landscape. However, recent reports suggest the couple is navigating its most challenging period, fueled by a series of escalating scandals and a perceived erosion of public trust.
Norwegian media outlet Se og Hør reports that sources close to the Royal House describe the relationship as being at its lowest point, representing a crisis not only for the couple but for the institution itself and the family dynamic between King Harald and Queen Sonja and Princess Mette-Marit. The turmoil arrives as the Norwegian monarchy faces historically low approval ratings, according to polling data from NRK.
The current strain appears to stem from two primary, interconnected crises: the ongoing rape trial of Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, and the resurfacing of damaging revelations regarding the Crown Princess’s years-long relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. While King Harald and Queen Sonja have historically offered support to Mette-Marit, the Epstein controversy reportedly marks a turning point in both public perception and within the royal family.
A Son’s Trial and a Mother’s Past
Marius Borg Høiby, the Crown Princess’s son from a previous relationship, is currently standing trial in Oslo, facing 38 charges including rape of four women. He pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges, acknowledging partial guilt for aggravated assault and reckless behavior. Crown Prince Haakon affirmed his stepson’s status as a commoner in a statement prior to the trial, emphasizing his autonomy from the Royal House of Norway. However, this attempt to distance the Crown from the legal proceedings was quickly overshadowed by the release of new information concerning Mette-Marit’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
The release of the Epstein files by the US Justice Department, just days before the start of Borg Høiby’s trial, revealed extensive correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein spanning several years, with the Crown Princess mentioned over a thousand times in the documents. Initially, Mette-Marit downplayed the extent of her contact with Epstein, claiming a lack of knowledge of his crimes and stating she had broken off contact in 2013. However, the newly released files contradict those earlier statements.
Details from the Epstein Files
The files reveal that as early as 2011, the year she first met Epstein, Mette-Marit had already conducted an internet search on him and found the results concerning. Subsequent exchanges from 2012 and 2013 detail Mette-Marit’s expressions of boredom with her royal duties, discussions of infidelity, references to the work of Vladimir Nabokov, and even plans to use images of naked women as wallpaper for her then 15-year-old son’s room. The correspondence also included discussions about Epstein’s pursuit of women, suggestions for connecting with Scandinavian women, and deeply personal exchanges about love and longing.
In response to the revelations, the Royal House issued a statement expressing Mette-Marit’s strong disapproval of Epstein’s actions and her regret for not recognizing his true character sooner. She acknowledged that some of the content of her messages did not reflect the person she aspired to be.
Impact on the Monarchy and the Royal Family
The combined weight of these scandals has reportedly created significant tension between Mette-Marit and her in-laws, King Harald and Queen Sonja. Sources suggest the King and Queen’s trust in the Crown Princess has been shaken, particularly in light of the Epstein revelations. This shift in dynamic comes at a sensitive time for the Norwegian monarchy, which is already grappling with declining public support.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has publicly acknowledged that Mette-Marit demonstrated “poor judgement” in her interactions with Epstein, echoing the Crown Princess’s own admission of regret. This public assessment from the head of government underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential long-term consequences for the Crown Princess’s future role within the monarchy.
The question of whether Mette-Marit will ultimately be able to assume the role of Queen remains open. The current crises have undoubtedly cast a shadow over the future of the Norwegian Royal House, and the coming months will be critical in determining the long-term impact on the monarchy and the relationship between Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
