Out of Control
“Out of Control” examines how the magazine Se og Hor covered the series of events that led to 32 charges against Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit. The book details newsroom decisions, ethical dilemmas and the wider questions it raises about media responsibility, royal privilege and public accountability.
November 13, 2025 | SOCIETY
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The book is about Se og Hor's journalistic work on the cases that have led to 32 charges against Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway. The story begins with editor-in-chief Ulf Andre Andersen being woken by a tipster on the night of 4 August last year; the tipster plays a recording of what is said to be Marius Borg Hoiby and his then-girlfriend in a loud argument. Together with editor Niklas Kokkin-Thoresen and journalist Lars Gautneb, Andersen gathers enough information for Se og Hor to be the first media outlet, three days later, to publish that Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son had been arrested. According to the book, he is said to have inflicted injuries on a woman that were so severe they required hospital treatment.
Se og Hor's story is told to, and written by, Kjersti Kvam. The book is both easy to read and 203 pages short. The author reproduces both working methods and personal statements from the trio Andersen, Kokkin-Thoresen and Gautneb. The communication between the three gives an impression of professionalism, joviality, and humour. It is not concealed that Se og Hor belongs to the tabloid part of the press and that the purpose is to make money.
Many may disagree that Se og Hor's journalism is professional, but it is worth mentioning that they won the Media Award, National News and Sports Coverage of the Year, for their coverage of the Hoiby case.
The jovial aspect is described through the collaboration between the three, but also in relation to the fact that Andersen was seriously ill with kidney disease when the case began; he received a new kidney in January this year. That his illness is given such space in the book seems unnecessary, but it appears intentional to contribute to the jovial tone. As for the humour between the three, it does not quite land; the reference to the Hardy Boys may be amusing internally, but perhaps less interesting to others.
It is only three weeks since the last book release about Marius Borg Hoiby; that book is titled White Strips, Black Sheeps. Hoiby's lawyers have taken legal action to stop the sale of the book, with a ruling expected this week. The book provides insight into what the book describes as a criminal environment around Hoiby; read the review here.
Hoiby's lawyers have also made critical statements regarding Out of Control. The publisher, Bonnier, has acknowledged that errors appear in the description of the charges. These are not mentioned in this review; you can find the charges in Norwegian here.
Regardless, it is important to point out that Hoiby has not been found guilty; the trial will not take place until next year.
Out of Control is a completely different book from White Strips, Black Sheeps. Whereas the latter is a reportage book describing the environment around Hoiby, this is a documentary. The purpose is somewhat unclear, but it may be perceived as an attempt to explain how Hoiby has ended up in such a situation, as well as to highlight the constitutional consequences it entails. Some may interpret it as Se og Hor's editor-in-chief Andersen being obsessed with the case; at the very least, it is clear he is personally upset about the situation. Others may read between the lines that the book is a defence of Se og Hor and their role in exposing Hoiby's life and behaviour. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the book will have an audience. Besides recounting the events from August last year until the indictment in August this year, it addresses both difficult social issues and constitutional questions about the role of the royal family. The latter may seem less relevant at the moment, but the book may become more significant in this regard when Mette-Marit becomes queen.
Those hoping for new revelations about Hoiby will hardly find any, unless they have not followed the news. The case has already been widely and thoroughly covered in Norwegian media, but here it is presented chronologically and in context. Through the narrative, various constitutional questions are raised, some answered directly and others indirectly. It is not concealed that the Hardy Boys believe Hoiby has received preferential treatment by virtue of being Mette-Marit's son; they also criticise the Crown Princess by posing open questions about her role. They largely leave Haakon out of this debate, and the King and Queen are kept entirely out of it.
The book includes assessments from specialist psychologist and neuropsychologist Susanne Nordby Johansen. She comments on a general basis and provides insight into how Hoiby may have ended up in this situation. She also, on a general basis, provides insight into how Mette-Marit's own upbringing may have influenced how she has functioned as a mother to Marius.
In 2019, Mette-Marit wrote a foreword to the book "Hjemlandet og andre fortellinger", from which it is quoted: "I grew up in a poster-family of success. All of us who lived in the house knew it was not true, but that is how we appeared."
Out of Control provides an overview of Mette-Marit's own story, from the time she was young and acted out, through her love story with Crown Prince Haakon, to her life as Crown Princess, without going into great detail. We know this already, but three issues are given significant attention.
The first is that the book claims that Mette-Marit used her diplomatic passport to bring two small children out of India. It appears as a favour to the Crown Couple's friend and secretary Ole Edvard Wold-Reitan. The case drew international attention, where among others Reuters reported the case. When this is linked to the fact that Marius himself, according to the book, used his diplomatic passport in questionable ways, it puts a spotlight on Mette-Marit as a role model.
The second issue receiving attention is Mette-Marit's open letter to the press in January 2017; the entire letter is reproduced. The occasion was Marius turning 20, and she wanted the press to show respect even though he was now an adult. In hindsight, the letter appears naive, detached from reality, and lacking in self-awareness. It is undeniable that Mette-Marit and Haakon chose to bring Marius into the public eye when they chose each other. The book also claims that Marius himself had already sought press attention in various ways.
The third issue emphasised is that the Crown Princess has engaged in organisations working against domestic violence and for mental health; how, then, is it possible that she meets Marius's victims with distance? We are presented with accounts from two victims who feel ignored by the Crown Couple, stories that have already been told both in Se og Hor and other media. The question raised appears justified.
At the end of the book, three victims describe how they experience the situation and what they believe they have been subjected to. It makes a strong impression and places the book in a broader, socially relevant context.
Se og Hor has for years had significant revenue from covering Marius Borg Hoiby's life and behaviour. The book states that they were aware of issues they chose not to publish, and the book argues that their coverage may have contributed to normalising this lifestyle. It becomes clear that they for many years knew of problematic issues related to Hoiby that they set aside; this means that they 1) for press-ethical reasons did not report the negative aspects, and 2) chose to frame him in a way that still allowed them to gain profit.
With this history behind them, the Hardy Boys are unlikely to cleanse their reputation as hard-core paparazzi, at least by Norwegian standards. Unless this signals a shift in approach.
But far more problematic than Se og Hor's role are the statements, and lack thereof, from the Crown Couple, the Royal Court, and Hoiby's lawyers; this may contribute to normalising both drug use and a degrading view of women. Regardless of Se og Hor, this is a debate the press generally avoids, and the Norwegian press corps as a whole should reflect critically on that.
Update November 14, 2025
According to NRK, Hoiby did not succeed in court in his attempt to halt the sale of the book White Stripes, Black Sheep which was mentioned above. Hoiby must pay the legal costs but is considering an appeal. As for the book to which this review pertains, no case has yet been filed against its publication.
SOURCES
Bonnier
Out of ControlThe Norwegian Media Association
Winners of the Media Awards of the YearVG
Lawyer claims Out of Control contains multiple inaccuraciesReuters
Coverage of Mette-Marit's use of a diplomatic passport