The son of Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been arrested by police on suspicion of assault, just ahead of his trial in Oslo on 38 charges, which includes the rape of four women.

Marius Borg Høiby, 29, has been remanded in custody for four weeks as police investigate allegations that he wielded a knife and violated a restraining order, indicating concerns about potential reoffending.

This latest arrest marks Høiby's fourth detention since August 2024, when he was accused of assaulting a former partner. He has denied the most serious charges but has admitted guilt regarding some of the less severe offenses. This series of legal troubles adds to the ongoing scandal surrounding the royal family of Norway.

Public scrutiny of the royal family has intensified following revelations that Crown Princess Mette-Marit corresponded with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein between 2011 and 2014. Upon the disclosure of her ties to Epstein, she described her relationship with him as a matter of poor judgment and expressed empathy for Epstein's victims.

Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoed the sentiment of poor judgment but faced criticism for his unusual comments about a member of the royal family, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.

As Mette-Marit prepares for the foundational court case involving her son, the national sentiment grapples with the implications of her controversial associations and the future of the royal family in Norway.