Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon are experiencing one of the most challenging moments of their public and private lives. This week, attention has once again focused on them due to the judicial future of Marius Borg, the heiress's eldest son. The media pressure has been intense, and every gesture of the couple has been scrutinized by the Norwegian press.
Last Friday, several local media outlets reported a key detail about the upcoming trial that keeps the monarchy on edge. The news has taken an unexpected turn and, although it doesn't solve the seriousness of the scandal, it does bring relief to Haakon and Mette-Marit. What exactly is it about, and why has the mood changed in Norway?
A judicial development that brings relief to Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon
Princess Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg, was arrested in August 2024 after being accused of physically and psychologically abusing his ex-partner. That episode was only the beginning of a process that, a year later, led him to face 32 formal charges.
The accusation, filed by the Norwegian prosecutor's office, is especially harsh. Attorney General Sturla Henriksb told the press: "These are very serious acts that can leave marks and destroy lives. The maximum sentence for the crimes mentioned in the indictment is up to 10 years in prison."
The trial is scheduled between February 3 and March 13, 2026, a lengthy process in which up to 53 witnesses will be heard. For weeks, there has been speculation about the possibility that both Mette-Marit and Haakon would have to appear as witnesses. This would have been a devastating blow to the institution's image.
Finally, the Norwegian prosecutor's office has confirmed that neither Princess Mette-Marit nor Prince Haakon will be included on the witness list. According to the news agency NTB, the official document submitted expressly excludes the heir couple from any participation in the trial.
This information has been received with relief in Norway. Although the royal family isn't the accused, the mere fact of sitting in a courtroom would have reinforced the public connection between the heirs and the case. For Mette-Marit, who is especially affected personally, this is news that allows her to regain some calm amid the storm.
The impact of Marius Borg's case on Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon
The judicial process that will begin in 2026 will be long and highly publicized. For more than a month, Norway will witness the public exposure of one of the most serious cases to have affected the royal family. Marius Borg's future, with a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison, will be decided during those weeks.
The Norwegian monarchy is facing a crisis that has no precedent in recent years. Although Marius Borg has never held a royal title or official duties, he has always been perceived as part of the family. His closeness to Haakon and Mette-Marit has made it impossible to fully separate his situation from the institution.
Every public appearance by the heirs has been influenced by this background, although Haakon has chosen a cautious and measured tone in his statements. After the formal accusation became known, he said: "All the people involved in this case probably think it's challenging and difficult. Now it's clear what the accusation is, and this must continue in the courts, which will decide how it ends."
Beyond the institutional aspect, the personal burden is undeniable. Mette-Marit has always shown a strong bond with her eldest son, and the situation has been a heavy blow. Not having to testify doesn't eliminate her pain as a mother, but it does spare her a public scenario that would have been devastating.
As the Norwegian magazine Se og Hør pointed out, Mette-Marit's suffering isn't comparable to that of the alleged victims. However, she is going through a period of enormous discouragement. Although her public life requires her to smile and fulfill official commitments, her private reality is much more complex.
At least, the news that Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Haakon won't have to testify in the trial brings some relief to Norway's royal house. Although the seriousness of the accusations against Marius Borg continues to dominate the media agenda, this relief allows them to regain some emotional and institutional margin. What remains to be seen is whether the judicial process will manage to close a wound that threatens to leave deep scars on the monarchy.