A trial, a son, a mother and the consequences for the Norwegian monarchy
The trial against Marius Borg Hoiby challenges trust in the Royal Court and puts the spotlight on the monarchy as a state power and how that role is exercised.
February 5, 2026 | SOCIETY
Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Photo: Dusan Reljin / The Royal Court
It is the third day of the trial against Marius Borg Hoiby. During these days it has become clear what the defence strategy consists of: 1) Since he was a child, Hoiby has been in the media spotlight because he has been his mother’s son, and this is said to have given him a strong need for affirmation. 2) Hoiby claims that the sexual contact with the women was voluntary. 3) Hoiby portrays as a victim in relation to the investigation and the ongoing trial. Hoiby’s defence lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes delivered a long tirade against the press in her opening statement and what she described as inhuman pressure after Hoiby was arrested for the first time in August 2024.
Whether this strategy will succeed remains to be seen. After all, it was not the press that placed Marius in the difficult situation of being a stepchild in a royal family, that was done by his mother Mette-Marit and stepfather Crown Prince Haakon. Hoiby has previously stated that he has committed acts of assault while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, and further that he has a substance abuse problem and psychiatric diagnoses. Neither media coverage, substance use nor psychiatric diagnoses provide exemption from the law. When Hoiby claims that the sexual contact was voluntary, this will also be evaluated based on the complainants' statements and the evidence.
There is no reason to believe anything other than that both Hoiby and the complainants will receive fair treatment in Oslo District Court, the Norwegian legal system is solid. If Hoiby is convicted of the sexual offences in the indictment, it will be because the judges find it proven. If not, he will be acquitted.
This case would have attracted public interest regardless of who was charged, due to its scope, and similar cases have previously received media attention in Norway. But of course, the case has SIGNIFICANT public interest because Marius Borg Hoiby is the son of Norway’s future queen. Even though the Norwegian population does not equate Marius Borg Hoiby with the Royal Court, the trial is relevant because the Crown Prince couple hold a position where they are expected to be role models as representatives of the monarchy – this lies at the very foundation of the monarchy as one of three branches of state power.
The case has weakened the Royal Court because the Crown Prince couple’s abilities as parents are being called into question, and because the monarchy as an institution, through its handling of the case, has not compensated for this weakening. First and foremost because the Royal Court has not loudly and clearly distanced itself from drug use, violence and sexual abuse. As a result, the Royal Court appears paralysed in the balancing act between the behaviour of family members and the public role as a state power.
This situation has not arisen in a vacuum. Mette-Marit had a troubled past when she became a member of the royal family, and her family members have over the years contributed to negative media coverage. Nevertheless, the Norwegian people welcomed Mette-Marit warmly, and she has achieved popularity. In that sense, the conditions were in place for the future of the monarchy. Furthermore, most people have both understanding and sympathy for the members of the Royal Court in this difficult situation. It is primarily Mette-Marit who is being held responsible for the weakening of the monarchy, according to a new opinion poll in which only 28.9% believe she should become queen, while as many as 47.65% believe she should NOT become queen. The poll was taken after new Epstein files were made public, revealing that Mette-Marit’s association with Jeffrey Epstein has been more extensive than she has previously stated, read more here. The Royal Court has not provided an account of Mette-Marit’s contact with Epstein.
Information emerging in the trial against Hoiby places renewed focus on the Crown Prince couple as heads of state and role models. Hoiby told the court on Wednesday that he held afterparty in the basement lounge at Skaugum and that drugs were used, while parents and siblings were at home. The Crown Prince family has an apartment on the second floor of the residence at Skaugum. Most Norwegian parents cannot relate to anything similar happening in their own home; they would not have facilitated such behaviour. In light of the fact that the Crown Prince couple have all possible resources available, this will appear incomprehensible to many. According to Marius Borg Hoiby, he had many afterparties in the basement lounge. If Hoiby were to be convicted of a sexual assault on the Crown Prince couple’s property, it would be highly problematic for both the Crown Prince couple and the monarchy.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit stated in the programme The Year with the Royal Family, which was broadcast on NRK on Christmas Day, that she finds it unfair that criticism has been directed at the Crown Prince couple as parents and at her as a mother.