"Was on drugs." Son of Norway's Crown Princess pleads guilty to abusing his girlfriend

Juliette Morgan
"Was on drugs." Son of Norway's Crown Princess pleads guilty to abusing his girlfriend

A high-profile scandal involving a member of Norway's royal family continues. Today, the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 27-year-old Marius Borg Høiby, spoke out for the first time since his arrest for assaulting a 20-year-old woman he was dating.

In a statement he wrote with his lawyer Øyvind Breitlin and gave to Norwegian television channel NRK, he admitted to using drugs and apologised to his family and girlfriend: "Last weekend, something happened that should never have happened. I caused bodily harm and broke things in the apartment while intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine after an argument." He also noted that he had been diagnosed with several mental disorders and had undergone treatment for drug addiction, which he intended to resume: "Drug use and my diagnoses do not justify what happened in the apartment in Frogner on Sunday night last weekend. I want to be responsible for my actions and will be honest with the police."

Мариус Борг Хёйби/Фото: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Мариус Борг Хёйби/Фото: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

He added that the most important thing for him now is to apologize to the girl: "She did not deserve what happened that evening, nor the extreme pressure from the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards. The persecution of photographers and journalists at such a time, I know, was not easy to endure." In addition, he apologized to his family, once again saying that this should not have happened. At the same time, his lawyer said that this apology should be seen as an admission of guilt by Marius, although he has not yet been questioned.

It should be noted that the scandal began on August 4, when the eldest son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, Marius Borg Høiby, was arrested for attacking a girl. This was reported by the local publication Se og Hør. The press wrote that she suffered both physically and emotionally, but was able to fight back: she threw him out of the apartment and called the police. She was hospitalized and diagnosed with a concussion, but was discharged the next day.

Marius was arrested shortly after the incident, placed in solitary confinement, and had his blood tested for alcohol and drugs. He was released 30 hours later, and the media reported that the Oslo police did not register the incident and did not assign him a lawyer from the state. According to the source, after leaving the police station, Marius went to Skaugum, the official residence of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in the suburbs of Oslo. The Norwegian magazine Se og Hør published a photo of the scene. The pictures show a broken chandelier and a knife stuck in the wall. In addition, the press reported that the police have an audio recording of a phone call Høiby made after the attack. He called the injured girl from the royal residence and threatened to burn her property if she did not do as he said.

The incident caused the Crown Princess to miss the Olympics, as she was due to join her husband in Versailles to watch the diving finals. However, she did return to France later to watch the track and field and handball competitions with Crown Prince Haakon.

Королевская семья Норвегии/Фото: Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images
Королевская семья Норвегии/Фото: Ragnar Singsaas/Getty Images

Marius faces a fine or up to one year in prison for the attack, but if the injuries are serious, the sentence will increase to six years.

Marius Borg Høiby is the eldest son of 50-year-old former waitress Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby from a previous relationship. He was born before she married the son of the King of Norway, Harald V, Haakon (they married in 2001). After the wedding, Mette-Marit received the title "Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Norway". But her son Marius does not have royal privileges and titles: he is not a contender for the throne. Mette-Marit and Haakon have two children together: 10-year-old Princess Ingrid and 8-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus.

This is not the first scandal associated with Marius: in 2012, he posted a photo on Instagram* that could be used to identify the location of the royal family, which jeopardized their safety. In 2017, the royal family's press service announced that Marius had enrolled in a California college and would not perform public royal duties.

More in the section Celebrity

Guy Pearce has again accused Kevin Spacey of harassing and "stalking" him
Celebrity

Guy Pearce has again accused Kevin Spacey of harassing and "stalking" him

In 2023, the court dropped all charges against Spacey.

Jared Leto Meets Yura Borisov and Mark Eidelstein
Celebrity

Jared Leto Meets Yura Borisov and Mark Eidelstein

The actors had fun together at a party in London.

Cynthia Erivo to Play Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Celebrity

Cynthia Erivo to Play Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

The choice was criticized online.

Winnie Harlow Announces Engagement to Boyfriend Kyle Kuzma
Celebrity

Winnie Harlow Announces Engagement to Boyfriend Kyle Kuzma

The athlete made a dream proposal - on a private jet with an 8.5-carat diamond ring.

Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke and Benedict Cumberbatch at the premiere of Blue Moon
Celebrity

Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke and Benedict Cumberbatch at the premiere of Blue Moon

The Berlinale festival continues in Germany.

Elon Musk's father says billionaire is to blame for his firstborn's death
Celebrity

Elon Musk's father says billionaire is to blame for his firstborn's death

Elon Musk's first child died in infancy from sudden infant death syndrome.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky React to Court Ruling in Rapper's Case
Celebrity

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky React to Court Ruling in Rapper's Case

The rapper was found not guilty, although he faced 24 years in prison.

Court rules on Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky case, singer cries in court
Celebrity

Court rules on Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky case, singer cries in court

The father of the singer's two children faced up to 24 years in prison.

Serena Williams posts bikini photo amid Ozempic crush rumours
Celebrity

Serena Williams posts bikini photo amid Ozempic crush rumours

The athlete has long been suspected of using popular weight loss drugs.

Elon Musk's alleged mother of 13th child gives first interview, claims he forced her to hide pregnancy
Celebrity

Elon Musk's alleged mother of 13th child gives first interview, claims he forced her to hide pregnancy

Elon Musk has not yet confirmed that the child is his.


Guy Pearce has again accused Kevin Spacey of harassing and "stalking" him
Celebrity

Guy Pearce has again accused Kevin Spacey of harassing and "stalking" him

Jared Leto Meets Yura Borisov and Mark Eidelstein
Celebrity

Jared Leto Meets Yura Borisov and Mark Eidelstein

Cynthia Erivo to Play Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Celebrity

Cynthia Erivo to Play Jesus in 'Jesus Christ Superstar'

Winnie Harlow Announces Engagement to Boyfriend Kyle Kuzma
Celebrity

Winnie Harlow Announces Engagement to Boyfriend Kyle Kuzma

Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke and Benedict Cumberbatch at the premiere of Blue Moon
Celebrity

Margaret Qualley, Ethan Hawke and Benedict Cumberbatch at the premiere of Blue Moon

Elon Musk's father says billionaire is to blame for his firstborn's death
Celebrity

Elon Musk's father says billionaire is to blame for his firstborn's death

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky React to Court Ruling in Rapper's Case
Celebrity

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky React to Court Ruling in Rapper's Case

Court rules on Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky case, singer cries in court
Celebrity

Court rules on Rihanna's boyfriend A$AP Rocky case, singer cries in court

Serena Williams posts bikini photo amid Ozempic crush rumours
Celebrity

Serena Williams posts bikini photo amid Ozempic crush rumours

Elon Musk's alleged mother of 13th child gives first interview, claims he forced her to hide pregnancy
Celebrity

Elon Musk's alleged mother of 13th child gives first interview, claims he forced her to hide pregnancy

Milla Jovovich poses for the cover of Vogue
Celebrity

Milla Jovovich poses for the cover of Vogue

Korean actress Kim Sae Ron has died at 24
Celebrity

Korean actress Kim Sae Ron has died at 24

Meghan Markle Shows Off Her Daughter in Her Brand Ad
Celebrity

Meghan Markle Shows Off Her Daughter in Her Brand Ad

"She's Becomes Like Bianca." Kim Kardashian Dressed Like Bianca Censori Again and Faces Criticism
Celebrity

"She's Becomes Like Bianca." Kim Kardashian Dressed Like Bianca Censori Again and Faces Criticism

The Internet is discussing that Kylie Jenner "ruined" Timothée Chalamet's appearance
Celebrity

The Internet is discussing that Kylie Jenner "ruined" Timothée Chalamet's appearance

Vittoria Ceretti Posts Topless Vacation Photos
Celebrity

Vittoria Ceretti Posts Topless Vacation Photos

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jared Leto attend a fashion party in "naked" looks
Celebrity

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jared Leto attend a fashion party in "naked" looks

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco buy a house together
Celebrity

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco buy a house together

Bianca Censori's sister has published new photos, once again repeating her images
Celebrity

Bianca Censori's sister has published new photos, once again repeating her images

"There really is a problem." Vladislav Lisovets commented on the news that he has stage four cancer
Celebrity

"There really is a problem." Vladislav Lisovets commented on the news that he has stage four cancer