Any fan of The Crown will know that where royalty goes drama surely follows—a rule not solely resigned to the British monarchy it turns out.
In fact, the Norwegian Royal Family drama makes the scandals, rumours and rifts of the UK’s Royals look like child’s play.
From an alleged robbery committed by one of their own to their ‘clairvoyant’ Princess who married an American shaman, Norway’s Royal Family is deserving of their own TV show.
So, strap in and let’s unpack everything you need to know.
Who Is The Norwegian Royal Family?
According to their official website, “The Royal House of Norway belongs to the House of Glücksburg” with members including King Harald and Queen Sonja and their son Crown Prince Haakon, his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit and their daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and their son, Prince Sverre Magnus.
The King and Queen also had a daughter, Princess Märtha Louise.Prince Haakon is first in line to the throne, followed by his daughter, Princess Ingrid, son Prince Sverre and then sister, Princess Märtha who is fourth in succession.
‘Clairvoyant’ Princess, Märtha Louise & Husband Durek Verrett
Despite being the older daughter of King Harold and Queen Sonja, Princess Märtha is not expected to succeed to the throne of Norway. The Norweigan royal family follows the rule of Primogeniture, where male heirs are privileged, therefore jump the line of succession, meaning Märtha’s younger brother Haakon will eventually become King.
The 52-year-old stepped away from royal duties in 2020 to focus on her business ventures, however had already lost her “royal highness” title in 2002 when she chose to work as a clairvoyant and alternative therapist. The choice wasn’t well received by the Norwegian press, particularly when she chose to open an “angel school” aimed at teaching alternative healing and honing abilities to contact celestial beings.
Princess Märtha’s choice in husband also raised eyebrows, with her second marriage to self-proclaimed shaman, Durek Verrett, earlier this year being scolded by the press.
If his bold claims—of being a Pharaoh in a past life, believing in the Illuminati’s existence, that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness—weren’t enough to put the press and Norway’s people offside, their wedding seemingly was.
The luxurious three-day ceremony in the Norwegian village of Geiranger saw press and photographers snubbed, the couple opting instead to sell the images in an exclusive to Hello.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s Checkered Past
Crown Princess Mette-Marit is the wife of heir to the throne, Prince Haakon. Before she was the beloved Crown Princess, she had a son, Marius, with convicted felon, Morten Borg.
Little is known about Morten, however Mette-Marit committed to raising her son as a single mother before she met Prince Haakon through mutual friends and the pair fell in love.
Once the couple went public with their romance, the Princess’ past didn’t sit well with the people of Norway. Following the news of their engagement in 2000, a press conference was held in which she apologised for her former life. Since then, the couple has become adored among the public. Her first son, however, is another story.
Marius Borg Høiby’s Shock Charges
In August of this year the family was rocked by news Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s first son from her previous marriage was facing allegations of assault.
Per The Independent, 27-year-old Marius was arrested after a woman he was believed to be in a relationship with, claimed he attacked her.
In a statement police said: “Høiby has a relationship with the woman who was subjected to the physical abuse. The police do not have information that the woman has suffered serious injuries, but it will be part of the investigation to map out the extent of the victim’s injuries.”
In September he was arrested again for reportedly breaking a restraining order.
Most recently, Marius has reportedly been blocked from accessing his mother and step-father’s home. The news comes after he reportedly hosted a wild party on the Prince and Princess private property, Skaugum, where he keeps a separate residence at the “edge of the forest”. Per local publication Se og Hør, the party escalated before being raided by a motorcycle gang and valuable silverware reportedly stolen from the main house.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
