The Norwegian Royal Family is facing turbulent times as recent scandals have shaken the public’s perception and raised questions about the future of the monarchy. Just as Norwegians were recovering from one shock, another emerged, plunging the royal house into what experts are calling its most significant crisis since the country’s independence in 1905.
King Harald V, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Queen Sonja in the front row, with Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Crown Prince Haakon, Prince Sverre Magnus, and Marius Borg Hoiby behind them at an event in Oslo.
The series of events began in August when Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend. This news was quickly followed by the controversial wedding of Princess Märtha Louise, the eldest daughter of King Harald V and Queen Sonja, to Durek Verrett, an American self-proclaimed shaman whose practices have been widely questioned.
However, the situation escalated dramatically in November with the re-arrest of Marius Borg Hoiby. The 27-year-old was taken into custody on November 18th and subsequently released on Wednesday, November 27th. He now faces serious accusations, including two counts of rape, one of which is allegedly supported by video evidence discovered by the police on his mobile phone.
Royal commentators are expressing serious concern about the impact of these scandals. Caroline Vagle, a reporter for the magazine Se og Hør, stated that this is “the biggest crisis [the monarchy has experienced] since 1905 and the country’s independence.” Ole-Jorgen Schulsrud-Hansen, a commentator for TV2, echoed this sentiment, explaining, “It’s the other side of the coin when you have a family at the head of the state. Anything that affects the family affects the institution, and vice versa.”
These scandals are not just personal matters; they directly impact the Norwegian monarchy as an institution. The accusations against Marius Borg Hoiby and the controversy surrounding Princess Märtha Louise’s marriage have brought unwanted negative attention to the royal family, potentially eroding public trust and support. As the situation unfolds, the Norwegian Royal Family faces a significant challenge in navigating these crises and maintaining its standing in the eyes of the Norwegian people.
