• Marius Borg Høiby arrested on assault and restraining order violation charges.
• He faces 38 counts, including rape, in an ongoing trial.
• Charges have caused embarrassment to Norway's royal family.
• Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces scrutiny over ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Norwegian police arrested Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, on suspicion of assault, threats involving a knife, and violating a restraining order. The arrest occurred just before his trial, which begins with 38 counts against him, including multiple allegations of **rape and violence**. Authorities are seeking to detain him for four weeks due to concerns over the risk of reoffending, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

Høiby is facing serious accusations, including **four alleged rapes** over a period from 2018 to November 2024, alongside additional acts of violence towards previous partners. These events have placed the royal family under considerable scrutiny and have contributed to an ongoing investigation into the royal household's image. His legal team has publicly stated that he denies the **charges of sexual abuse and most allegations of violence**, according to SCMP and CBS News.

The arrest comes amid a backdrop of negative press surrounding not just Høiby but also his mother, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, who is under renewed scrutiny for her past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Recently released documents reveal that she had borrowed an Epstein property in 2013 and expressed regret for insufficiently investigating his background. This development adds to the challenges facing the royal family's public perception, as they attempt to navigate the fallout from their personal connections and legal troubles, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and SCMP.

Despite growing tensions, Crown Prince Haakon has reiterated that Høiby is not a formal member of the royal family and, as a citizen, is subject to the same laws as any other individual. He voiced confidence that the upcoming trial will be executed fairly, indicating a desire for the proceedings to unfold without additional royal involvement, according to CBS News and Reuters.