A Norwegian court has ruled that Marius Borg Høiby, the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, must remain in custody pending a verdict on charges of rape. The decision, handed down in Oslo on Thursday, comes amid a wider scandal that has shaken the Scandinavian monarchy. Yet back in Britain, palace aides have offered no comment, prompting questions about the ties between Europe’s royal families.
Høiby, who is the crown princess’s son from a previous relationship, was arrested last month after a woman accused him of assault. Prosecutors allege he raped the woman at a party in central Oslo. He denies the charges. The court’s detention order means he will stay behind bars until the trial verdict, expected in February.
For Norwegians, the case is a painful reminder that even royalty is not immune from the law. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has stepped back from public duties, citing the strain on her family. But across the North Sea, the British royal household has maintained a wall of silence. When asked, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said only: “This is a matter for the Norwegian legal system. We have no further comment.”
That silence is telling. British royals have long maintained close ties with their Norwegian counterparts. King Charles III and Crown Princess Mette-Marit are said to be on good terms. But the palace’s refusal to engage suggests a desire to avoid entanglement in a case that grows more sordid by the day. It also mirrors a wider pattern: when scandal hits European royalty, Windsor tends to look the other way.
Labour MP and republican campaigner Clive Lewis said: “The British monarchy is happy to pose for photos with foreign royals, but when the going gets tough, they go silent. It shows they care more about image than justice.”
For ordinary Britons, the story may seem distant. Yet it touches on a universal theme: how power and privilege interact with the law. In Norway, Høiby’s detention is seen as a sign that no one is above the law. In Britain, the royal silence feels like a missed opportunity to stand up for victims.
As the trial approaches, the spotlight will remain on Oslo. But the quiet from London speaks volumes.
