Crown princess’s son arrested on rape charges

The son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit was arrested yesterday on suspicion of rape

Marius Borg Høiby, who has long been a major concern for the Norwegian royal family, is also suspected of assaulting a former girlfriend while under the influence of drugs

Marius, 27, is the son of Mette-Marit and her former husband, Morten Borg, a financier convicted of drug offences. Today he is the eldest child of the Crown Prince family, but as he is not the son of the future King, Crown Prince Haakon, he does not hold a royal title.

In recent years he has been involved in a series of scandals and last night he was caught again when he was arrested in a car and police searched his home.

According to Norwegian police, Marius is in custody and the arrest has been prompted by new information in a previous investigation against him

– Several of his former girlfriends have come forward to say they have also experienced threats and harassment. It’s getting more and more serious, says Joakim Reigstad, correspondent for Norwegian broadcaster NRK.

– This is about things that his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has spoken so much about, women’s rights and that kind of issue. It’s embarrassing for the royal family, he continues

“Asked him to stop”

The scandals related to the Norwegian royal family have also caused a great stir internationally, and The Nordic Times has previously reported how the Norwegian Princess Märtha Louise’s husband, the shaman Durek Verrett, has also been reported for sexual abuse – by a Swedish man.

– I asked him to stop but he didn’t budge. He seemed absolutely determined to persuade me to have sex, says the Swede.

Critics have also pointed out that the recurring scandals, with suspicions of irregularities, sexual abuse and other crimes, risk eroding public support and confidence in the royal family to the extent that the Norwegian monarchy is in danger of being abolished.