Recently, the Norwegian crown princess Mette-Marit's son Marius Borg Høiby was charged with a total of 32 crimes, including four rapes. If he is convicted, he risks a ten-year prison sentence.
The scandal is without equal, according to royal expert Roger Lundgren.
In modern times, there is no European monarchy that is close to this scandal. It includes the British royal family where things always happen, he says, referring to the fact that Prince Andrew has been accused of sexual abuse.
The case ended with a settlement and was therefore not decided in court. In the case of Borg Høiby, a trial and evidence are pending in the form of the "bonus prince's" own films from the rapes.
"Incompetent"
Roger Lundgren is strongly critical of how the Norwegian royal family has handled the entire story.
The court and the crown prince couple have handled it in an incompetent manner. There have been rumors about Marius Borg Høiby for several years, but they have chosen to stick their heads in the sand. That's what happens when you're surrounded by yes-men, he says.
Roger Lundgren points out that the "bonus prince" does not have a royal title, but has grown up in the royal family and lived close to them as an adult. In connection with Borg Høiby's arrest last summer, he admitted to having used violence against a former girlfriend and that he had had addiction problems "for a long time".
Yes, it's a family tragedy, but there are also female victims. And Crown Princess Mette-Marit has worked for vulnerable women in various ways over the years. But now everyone is silent, says Roger Lundgren.
Republican wave
He is himself a declared monarchist and "rosenrasande":
From a monarchical perspective, this is a disaster. Not just because of an individual's actions, but just as much because of poor communication from the palace and that his family has never managed to put a stop to this.
Trust in the previously so appreciated Norwegian royal family will decline further in connection with the trial, says Roger Lundgren, and predicts strong tailwind for republicans - also in Sweden and Denmark.
We are so closely intertwined countries. And if the Norwegians suddenly decide that they don't want to keep a monarchy, then maybe the Swedes and Danes will do the same. Yes, they may be completely right. You can't have such problems in a modern constitutional monarchy, says Roger Lundgren.
Anna Lena Wallström/TT
Facts: Marius Borg Høiby
TT
Marius Borg Høiby is 28 years old and the son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette Marit from a previous relationship. Mette Marit married Crown Prince Haakon in 2001.
Marius Borg Høiby was charged on Monday with 32 different crimes. Including assault on a former girlfriend and four cases of rape. They took place, according to the prosecutor, while the victims were sleeping and were filmed by Borg Høiby. Borg Høiby has previously admitted to some crimes, but denied the allegations of rape.
The trial is expected to begin in January and will last for six weeks. Borg Høiby risks up to ten years in prison.
