The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (2024)

As far as royal families go, the Norwegian monarchy and its members often fly under the radar.

They are not as well-known in Australia, America or even in the UK as the British royals are.

But don't let their relatively low profile fool you into thinking they are any less interesting.

READ MORE: 'What is the point of Harry and Meghan's non-royal tour of Colombia?'

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (1)

Over the past fortnight, the Norwegian royals have found themselves at the centre of headlines they'd rather avoid, thanks to two key players.

One is the stepson of Norway's crown prince, the other his sister.

The latest controversies are not the first to hit the family. Indeed, the Norwegian monarchy has weathered scandal in the past.

But the issues plaguing the family now have the potential to do irreversible damage to the monarchy's reputation.

The Norwegian royal family

The House of Glücksburg has ruled Norway since 1905 and its current monarch is King Harald V.

The Norwegian monarchy dates back more than 1000 years. If the 'Glücksborg' name sounds familiar, that's because the family has ruled Denmark's royal family for 150 years.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (2)

The two countries were merged under a single monarch in 1380 but Norway was given a subordinate role in the union. That union was dissolved in 1814 but soon after Norway entered into another with Sweden – this time as an independent nation, but with a common king.

In 1905 the union of Norway and Sweden ended, and Norway chose its own monarch, King Haakon VII.

The now 87-year-old King Harald V came to the throne in 1991, making him one of Europe's longest reigning monarchs.

In recent years he has suffered ill-health and his son and heir, Crown Prince Haakon has taken on more official duties.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (3)

In April, the Royal House of Norway announced King Harald would scale back his participation in official duties "out of consideration for his age".

During a holiday to Malaysia in February, the king caught an infection and was admitted to hospital. He was later fitted with a pacemaker to compensate for a low heartrate.

Despite his age and health, the king is refusing to abdicate telling reporters in January he had taken an oath that "lasts for life".

"It's that simple for me," King Harald said. "We're at it until the bitter end."

A poll by Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) found that 64 per cent of the population did not want him to abdicate in favour of his son, Haakon, while 72 per cent of Norwegians remained supportive of the monarchy.

But that high-level of support is at major risk now, a prominent royal historian believes.

Marius Borg Høiby charged with assault

On Sunday August 4, a member of the royal family was charged with a crime for the first time.

Marius Borg Høiby, 27, is accused of causing bodily harm and damaging property during an alleged attack on his girlfriend inside her Oslo apartment.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (5)

He admitted to the allegations on Thursday, issuing a statement via NRK in which he apologised to the woman involved and said he was under the influence of "alcohol and cocaine".

Høiby said he suffers from "several mental disorders" and continues to have "challenges".

Significantly, he apologised to the royal family.

"I know that my actions have greatly affected you", Høiby said, adding he took "full responsibility" for what had happened.

Høiby is the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship before she married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (6)

He was officially recognised as a member of the royal family by King Harald before the wedding but never received a royal title.

Over the years Høiby has attended many family and official events with the Norwegian royals.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon have two other children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.

But in 2017, Høiby stepped back from public life because he wanted privacy, and his portrait and biography were removed from the palace website.

He is still listed on the monarchy's website, however, as an official member of the royal family and is pictured in a group photo from the King's Silver Jubilee in June 2016.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (7)

Høiby spent 30 hours in police custody after he was arrested close to the Crown Prince family's official residence Skaugum Castle following the incident.

Crime scene photos published on Tuesday appear to show a knife sticking out of a wall and a chandelier lying on the floor surrounded by broken glass.

Sources also told local media police were in possession of an audio tape of Høiby allegedly telling the victim he would set fire to her clothes if she did not do what he wanted.

The alleged assault forced Crown Princess Mette-Marit to delay her travels to the Olympic Games in Paris by several days, leaving Crown Prince Haakon to attend several events on his own.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (8)

Soon after his arrival, Haakon was questioned by Norwegian media telling them it was a "serious matter" and declining to say anything else.

Historian and author of seven books on the Norwegian royal family Trond Norén Isaksen said Høiby's arrest was a blow to the royal family's reputation.

"Noise and circuses weaken the impression the Norwegian people have of the royal house," Isaksen told Norwegian outlet Se og Hør last week.

"There has been a marked decrease in the assignments of the royal family outside the royal estates, which makes them less visible. Then it is unfortunate that the void is filled with noise and controversy.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (9)

"Everyone should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, but an accusation is obviously not good for the reputation."

Høiby's arrest and admission comes just weeks before another controversial event in the family: the wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett.

Princess Märtha Louise

Princess Märtha Louise will marry fiancé Shaman Durek Verrett on August 31.

It'll be the first royal wedding in Norway in 22 years, since that of Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit.

But senior royals across Europe are expected to avoid the nuptials.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (10)

In November 2022, Märtha Louise confirmed she would no longer represent her father or the royal household following anger over the use of her 'princess' title among her commercial endeavours.

Since then, there have been growing calls for Märtha Louise to lose her 'princess' title altogether after breaking the agreement with the king and the royal household multiple times.

Isaksen said: "As a member of the royal family, one is expected to behave in a way that does not embarrass the royal family. You must have a spotless character and be someone people can look up to."

Norwegian media has accused Märtha Louise and Verrett of using her royal title for commercial gain along with promoting alternative health care methods.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (11)

American-born Verrett describes himself as a shaman and a healer on his website.

The couple's wedding has been reported as being a three-day celebration beginning on August 29.

There has been speculation some of the guests could include Hollywood royalty, with both Princess Märtha Louise and Verrett having a close relationship with actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

Responding to a comment from a follower about Princess Märtha acting "more like a celebrity than a royal", Isaksen said on Instagram: "It is indeed my impression that the foreign royal houses are not too keen on being part of this circus, as it has become commonly known".

Isaksen has been critical of Märtha Louise's continued use of her princess title which he says has damaged the king's reputation.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (12)

"When the agreement is not respected, it is time to strike Märtha Louise's princess title before King Harald's life's work takes further damage," Isaksen wrote on Aftenposten.

He points to a decline in support for the Norwegian monarchy as being connected to Märtha Louise's actions.

In 2017, support for the monarchy was at 81 per cent and in 2022 it was sitting at 78 per cent. In 2024, support fell to 73 per cent.

Crown Princes Mette-Marit's past

When Crown Prince Haakon succeeds the Norwegian throne, his wife Mette-Marit will become Queen.

While she is now embraced by Norwegians following a dedicated royal career championing humanitarian causes and the arts, it wasn't always so.

Before the wedding in 2001, Mette-Marit Tjessem Hoiby was known for being a single mother with a colourful past.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (13)

She met her Crown Prince at rock festival and before they married there was much debate over whether a commoner should be allowed to marry into the royal household.

That's despite King Harald having married a commoner too, Sonja Haraldsen, now Queen Sonja, when he was crown prince. They married in 1968 and needed special permission from his father the king to do so along with the approval from the government.

Queen Sonja was scandal-free, however, unlike Mette-Marit.

Much was made about her past relationships including her former boyfriend, Høiby's father, who had been sentenced to prison for assault and possession of cocaine.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (14)

Days before the wedding, Mette-Marit apologised for her rebellious days in an emotional press conference.

"My youth rebellion was much stronger than many others," Mette-Marit said, the BBC reported at the rime.

"That resulted in me living quite a wild life."

Addressing reports about attending parties where drugs were present she said: "We overstepped the limits. It was a costly experience for me, that I took a long time to get over.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (15)

"I would like to take this opportunity to say that I condemn drugs," Mette-Marit said, but did not say whether she had taken them herself.

"I cannot make these choices again, even though I would wish I could."

The wedding was attended by royalty across Europe including then-Prince Charles of Britain, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II, Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf, Prince Albert of Monaco and then-Crown Prince Felipe of Spain.

The tiaras worn by the women of the Norwegian royal family

View Gallery

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also battled ill health over the years that has forced her to cancel or postpone many official engagements.

She was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic, incurable disease, six years ago.

The symptoms include chronic coughing, shortness of breath and severe oxygen deficiency as well as reduced performance.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.

The scandals risking permanent damage to Norway's royal family (2024)

FAQs

What is the Norwegian royal family scandal? ›

Inside the scandal engulfing Norway's royal family as the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit is charged with assault and accused of psychological and physical violence by his ex-girlfriend. It's proving a summer of discontent for the Norwegian royal family.

Did Martha and Olav divorce? ›

Olav and Martha were happily married until her early death from cancer in 1954. Olav became King of Norway in 1957 and ruled until his own death in 1991 when he was succeeded by Harald.

What happened to Norway's royal family in WWII? ›

With the Germans rapidly overrunning France, the Allied high command decided that the forces in northern Norway should be withdrawn. The royal family and Norwegian government were evacuated from Tromsø on 7 June aboard HMS Devonshire with a total of 461 passengers.

How do Norwegians feel about the royal family? ›

Despite his health issues, polling suggests that the king remains extremely popular with Norwegians. A survey for NRK earlier this year showed that 64% of the population did not want him to abdicate in favour of his son, while some 72% of Norwegians remained supportive of the monarchy.

Why does Norway still have a royal family? ›

Upon becoming independent in 1905, Norway decided through a referendum to remain as a monarchy, with its first monarch being the Danish-born King Haakon VII, whose family consisted of the British Princess Maud and their son Olav.

What religion is the royal family of Norway? ›

The King shall at all times profess the Evangelical-Lutheran religion.

Did the Princess of Norway have a relationship with FDR? ›

Princess Martha and FDR jokingly referred to one another as Godfather and Godchild, and often shared meals, scenic drives, boating, and local entertainments together. Observers noted their common sense of humor and happy informality.

How historically accurate is the Atlantic Crossing? ›

Are all the events in Atlantic Crossing true? The series was inspired by true events of what happened to Crown Princess Martha, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and more during the Second World War, but certain parts have been fictionalized for the series.

Did Martha and Olav reunite after the war? ›

Following Germany's capitulation on 8 May 1945, the Crown Princess and her children crossed the Atlantic once again–this time by air–to land at Prestwick in Scotland. There they were briefly reunited with Crown Prince Olav, prior to his return to Oslo on 13 May, sailing from Rosyth aboard HMS Apollo.

Did king Olav remarry? ›

Crown Prince Olav (King Olav V)

The new king never remarried after the death of his beloved wife Martha, and ruled the country without a queen for 33 years until his own death on January 17, 1991. Though heralded by his people, Olav's rule was not without controversy.

Does Pooks Hill Mansion still exist? ›

The Pooks Hill Apartments were built in 1949. There were plans to turn the Tudor mansion into a clubhouse, but that never happened. It was eventually demolished.

Why did Germany invade Norway but not Sweden? ›

Germany still attacked the countries because it feared that Great Britain and France planned to occupy Norway. With Denmark's access to the Baltic Sea in German hands, Swedish iron ore could be transported undisturbed to Germany. Sweden remained neutral.

Who is the most popular royal family in Europe? ›

The British Royal Family has the widest media presence among all Royal Houses of Europe. The Queen of the United Kingdom, Elizabeth II, is the most popular member of the British Royal Family as well as of all European Royal families in the virtual press.

How is Queen Elizabeth related to the King of Norway? ›

Queen Elizabeth and King Harald were second cousins. They shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, who were the father and mother of Norway's own Queen Maud. Queen Elizabeth is the only head of state who has carried out three State Visits to Norway.

Why are Norwegians so happy? ›

To begin, one of the leading contributions to the happiness of Nordic countries is the high level of trust between citizens, which leads to social cohesion. This so-called social cohesion leads to an increased level of trust, which can make living in a community a more pleasant experience.

What happened to Prince Olav of Norway? ›

At the age of 87, on 17 January 1991, while residing in the Royal Lodge Kongsseteren in Oslo, he became ill and died in the evening of a heart attack.

Is the Norwegian royal family related to the British royal family? ›

Queen Elizabeth and King Harald were second cousins. They shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, who were the father and mother of Norway's own Queen Maud. Queen Elizabeth is the only head of state who has carried out three State Visits to Norway.

What does the Norwegian monarchy do? ›

Today the King's duties are mainly representative and ceremonial. When the Constitution states that: “the executive power is vested in the King”, this now means that it is vested in the Government. The King undertakes the formal opening of the Storting (the Norwegian parliament) every autumn.

Is the Norwegian royal family related to Vikings? ›

Though this dynasty is relatively new, King Harald's lineage can be traced through a path of matrilineal and patrilineal genealogy all the way back to the first King of Norway, Harald Fairhair. Harald Fairhair was a Viking prince of a small kingdom in the late 9th century.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Errol Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 5957

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Errol Quitzon

Birthday: 1993-04-02

Address: 70604 Haley Lane, Port Weldonside, TN 99233-0942

Phone: +9665282866296

Job: Product Retail Agent

Hobby: Computer programming, Horseback riding, Hooping, Dance, Ice skating, Backpacking, Rafting

Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.