Marius Borg Høiby Sentenced for Rape
Marius Borg Høiby, son of Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been convicted of rape, raising questions about the role of monarchies in Europe. Despite denying the charges, Høiby was found guilty on two counts at Oslo District Court and sentenced to four years in prison. He was also convicted of domestic violence and other crimes.
The accusations against Høiby are regarding incidents that occurred between 2018 and 2024, with victims claiming they were asleep or unable to resist. The trial, lasting seven weeks, featured electronic communications and testimonies from witnesses.
Høiby lacks a formal royal title, though his mother is Crown Princess Mette-Marit, married to Crown Prince Haakon of Norway. Notably, one alleged incident took place at the family home, according to NBC News.
Mette-Marit and Epstein Scandal
Coinciding with Høiby’s trial, Crown Princess Mette-Marit faced scrutiny for her past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. The U.S. Department of Justice released files showing Mette-Marit had contact with Epstein after his conviction. Emails indicated she visited one of Epstein’s properties in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2013.
Mette-Marit admitted to poor judgment in her relationship with Epstein: “I must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein’s background more thoroughly.” She apologized to the royal family for her actions, expressing regret over her involvement.
Polls and Public Opinion
The scandals impacted public opinion in Norway. A Norstat poll highlighted a drop in support for the monarchy from 70 percent to 60 percent in February, with alternate systems gaining traction. However, by May, support rose again to 64 percent, though 23 percent still favored change.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein Controversy
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced similar public scrutiny in Britain over his ties to Epstein. Virginia Giuffre accused him of sexual assault, alleging she was trafficked by Epstein to engage with Mountbatten-Windsor. He denied any wrongdoing, despite photographic evidence and a subsequent BBC interview failing to clear his name.
Mountbatten-Windsor ultimately settled a civil lawsuit in New York in 2022, while maintaining his innocence. He was stripped of his “Prince” and “Duke of York” titles by King Charles III, and the release of additional emails in 2026 led to further legal inquiries.
Queen Margrethe II’s Title Changes
In 2022, Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II decided to strip some of her grandchildren of their royal titles, causing family tension. Her decision aimed to modernize the monarchy, allowing named individuals to shape their own futures without royal obligations.
The Queen faced backlash from her son Prince Joachim and later apologized for the upset caused. She abdicated in January 2024.
Financial Scandals of King Juan Carlos I
Spain’s former King Juan Carlos I has battled financial scandals, notably receiving $100 million from Saudi Arabia in 2008. Legal investigations in Spain and Switzerland tarnished his reputation, though no charges were filed.
Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 and relocated outside Spain to avoid impacting his son, King Felipe VI. Debate persists about his return to Spain, with some parties advocating for his dignified return.