Crown Prince Haakon breaks silence after stepson Marius Borg Høiby was charged with four counts of rape
Haakon, the son of Norway's King Harald, described the situation - which yesterday overshadowed his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit 's 52nd birthday - as 'challenging and difficult.'
During a royal engagement in Trondheim, Trøndelag, on Tuesday, he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK: 'Everyone involved in this case probably finds it challenging and difficult.'
He added: 'It has now been clarified what the charges will be. It is now up to the court to decide.'
Haakon, who married Høiby's mother Mette-Marit in 2001, also stressed that the royal family will continue to carry out its duties.
Høiby does not hold a royal title and is not included in the royal line of succession.
According to NRK, the charges against Høiby, 28, include four rapes of four different woman between 2018 and 2024, abuse against his former partner Nora Haukland and several acts of violence against another former partner.
On all occasions, Høiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping and filmed the assaults. The assaults also allegedly occurred after Høiby and the women had consensual intercourse.
He has also been charged with making death threats, assaulting a public official and violating the road traffic act.
Høiby denies the most serious offences but plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges in court when the trial starts, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told Reuters on Monday.
'He does not agree with the claims regarding rape and domestic violence,' Sekulic said of his client.
Broadly speaking, however, the Norweigan royal family appears to have carried on as normal after Høiby's criminal charges were made public on Monday.
Marius's mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway marked her 52nd birthday yesterday with a new portrait - while his sister Princess Ingrid Alexandra appeared to enjoy a stroll in the sun in Sydney, where she's at university.
The photograph of future queen Mette-Marit was published on the official Instagram account of the Norwegian royal household on Tuesday morning.
The wife of Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby's stepfather and the son of Norway's King Harald, is smiling in the new image and wearing the colours of her country's flag: red, white and dark blue.
Dressed in a long-sleeved, navy turtleneck, she has a striped silk scarf in crimson, navy and cream draped around her shoulders.
Mette-Marit's long, blonde hair has been blow-dried and is styled in loose waves, which are in-keeping with the relaxed look chosen for the picture.
She completed her ensemble with a pair of dainty gold and diamond hoops earrings and kept her make-up natural.
Captioned 'Happy birthday to Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who celebrates her birthday today!', the Instagram post attracted hundreds of comments from well-wishers in a matter of hours.
Yet, while she appeared content in the new image, it's unlikely she will be celebrating her birthday as she has in previous years given the seriousness of the situation Høiby now finds himself in.
Although the crown princess, who suffers from chronic pulmonary fibrosis, was forced to cancel a royal engagement planned to mark her 50th in April 2023 due to illness, she was able to celebrate the milestone birthday later that year.
Two years ago Mette-Marit and husband Haakon, who was born just under a month before his wife, hosted a joint party at the Royal Palace in Oslo to mark their 50th birthdays.
Held on August 25 2023, the lavish event was attended by guests from all over Norway, as well as government officials and members of the organisations to which the royal couple have given their patronage.
Mette-Marit looked glamorous in a sheer white gown featuring puff sleeves and adorned with appliqué flowers while Haakon, now 52, looked polished in a navy suit and white shirt.
The crown prince and crown princess arrived at the party with the two children they share, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, who is second in line to the throne, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, but it's unclear if Høiby was in attendance.
The Norwegian popstar Dagny performed at the party while both Mette-Marit and Haakon gave speeches.
Mette-Marit concluded: 'Thank you for all for coming and celebrating with us. For celebrating Norway. For celebrating what we have created together. For celebrating what we can be for each other, and for our country.'
Today, however, as Mette-Marit marks her 52nd birthday, the mother-of-three will feel the absence of her daughter, Ingrid Alexandra, who is currently enrolled at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Ingrid Alexandra began her studies in international relations and political economy at the beginning of the month, having moved to Sydney, where she lives in a student residence on the university campus, earlier this summer.
Recent pictures show the princess looking happy and relaxed - and, like Aussie students across the country, enjoying a beloved local snack.
The royal was snapped walking around campus on Sunday with two packets of Tim Tams, which she was gifted by a university friend.
The pair were spotted taking a selfie on Ingrid's digital camera before continuing to walk through the university.
Ingrid Alexandra looked casual on the day in a blue cardigan, loose white trousers and a striped headband by Swedish brand Djerf Avenue.
She opted to go make-up free for the outing, letting her natural beauty shine through, and added to her ensemble with classic silver earrings and chunky rings.
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