Royals break silence on Princess’s son’s r.a.p.e charges: ‘Don’t blame us’

The family have been noticeably quiet on the scandal.

The family have made their view clear (Image: Getty)

Senior members of the Norwegian Royal Family have finally spoken out ahead of Marius Borg Hoiby’s trial at the start of next year, which will see him face 32 charges, including the alleged r.a.p.e of four women and acts of domestic violence against a former partner.

Until now, his family have largely remained silent on the case and the troubles Marius has faced; however, in a recent interview with The Times, his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, stepfather, Crown Prince Haakon, and even King Harald and Queen Sonja have spoken about what lies ahead for Marius.

In what looks to already be a challenging year for the Crown Princess, as she is expected to undergo a lung transplant, she has spoken about her son and expressed her overriding fear.

Marius will head to trial at the start of next year (Image: Getty)

Mette-Marit explained why she has been left upset. Speaking alongside her husband, the Crown Princess spoke about the limitations she has owing to her pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis, before rejecting claims that she had tipped her son off about his impending arrest with a phone call.

“I think it’s been quite a strain to be accused of such serious things, which of course I did not do,” Mette-Marit said. “The thing that perhaps upsets me the most is being criticised for how we’ve handled it as parents, that we didn’t take it seriously. I find that hard.”

Mette-Marit said the family had sought “professional help” for her son. “So it feels a little unfair [to claim] that we didn’t take the situation seriously, because I think we have,” she said. “Being a parent is the most vulnerable thing you can do. And I think all parents … will recognise that there is an incredible amount of self-blame involved.”

Marius is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship (Image: Getty)

The Princess went on to say that she felt the need to speak out after the intense scrutiny and severity of the claims. She said: “Our view has always been that this matter must be dealt with in the legal system. That is where it belongs. We don’t wish to comment on the case itself or on private matters until the legal system has dealt with it.

“We can comment on it later, if it is natural for us to do so … I don’t think that gives people the right to make all sorts of untrue claims for that reason.”

Marius’s step-grandfather, King Harald, also commented on the case. He said he felt it was “not possible” to prepare for Hoiby’s trial. “But now it is in the hands of the court. Then we will take what comes,” he said. Queen Sonja added: “But it’s not exactly something you look forward to.”

The King explained the Royal Family would try to proceed with “business as usual” but added: “I’d like to say that we feel for all those who are affected. We feel for them and hope they will be OK and get better after the trial.”

The family have spoken out about Marius (Image: Getty)

Marius has had his court dates confirmed for early next year. He was charged with 32 counts, including alleged r.a.p.e, abuse in a close relationship against one former partner, and acts of violence against another, making death threats, and traffic violations.

Høiby allegedly assaulted the women while they were sleeping. He is currently free pending trial, and Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbo said there is currently no reason to arrest and jail him. The prosecutors’ office estimates that the trial could begin in mid-January and take around six weeks, Norway’s state-owned public broadcaster NRK reported.

Henriksbo said: “This case is very serious. r.a.p.e and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives. The fact that Marius Borg Høiby is a member of the royal family should, of course, not mean that he should be treated more lightly or more severely than if similar acts had been committed by others.”