The stepson of Norway’s new king has joined members of the royal family in a procession of the late monarch’s coffin through the Royal Palace, nearly three months after his conviction for rape and assault.
Marius Borg Høiby, 29, walked behind King Haakon VIII as he helped carry the coffin of King Harald V to the royal chapel, alongside his two siblings Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
King Haakon VIII carried his father’s coffin through the Royal Palace, accompanied by the late King Harald V’s daughter Princess Martha Louise, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Marius Borg Høiby (back, right). AP
The late king’s eldest daughter Princess Märtha Louise, and her three daughters, also formed the procession of the monarch’s children and grandchildren through several of the palace’s halls.
Queen Mette-Marit, who was holding hands with Harald’s widow Queen Sonja, walked slowly behind the coffin during the silent procession.
The inclusion of Høiby, who was four when his mother Mette-Marit married into Norway’s royal family in 2001, surprised many considering the high-profile nature of his seven-week criminal trial in February and sentencing in June.
Høiby is currently serving his four-year prison sentence via house release at the family’s private estate, Skaugum, just outside Oslo, with an ankle monitor.
Police had confirmed to Norwegian news outlet TV 2 Høiby had received special permission to join his family at the palace.
He was seen there on Friday in the hours after the king’s death and also visited Harald in hospital soon before he died.
Høiby grew up as part of the royal family but was never given a title or official role. He attended many events with the late king and queen, and the rest of the royals, but stepped back from public life in 2017 after struggling with his mental health and addiction.
Commentators in Norway said Høiby’s inclusion in mourning events was to be expected, despite his criminal conviction, which his legal team is appealing.
Høiby, pictured with the royals in 2015, was a key figure at family events but stepped back from the spotlight in 2017. He never held a royal title, however. (Lise Aaserud/Pool Photo via AP
“Based on what the new king said in his speech [on Saturday], the family sticks together through thick and thin,” author and historian Tor Bomann-Larsen told national broadcaster NRK.
“Despite its problems, it is still always inclusive, and that is also in the spirit of King Harald.”
Another author and historian, Trond Norén Isaksen, said Høiby’s presence was not surprising.
“King Harald and Queen Sonja have always treated Høiby on an equal footing with their biological grandchildren,” Isaksen said.
Høiby, right, was found guilty of rape in June. He is the stepson of the now-king and son of Mette-Marit from a relationship before she married into Norway’s royal family. Rune Hellestad/Getty
“This was a private event that the family chose to share with the public. So it was only natural that Høiby was there. The criminal case against him is serious, but convicted criminals and people awaiting appeals also have families.”
While the procession was considered a private event, it was televised throughout Norway.
King Harald’s coffin is now laying in state inside the Palace Chapel, which will open to the public to pay their respects later today.
King Haakon VIII along with his wife Queen Mette-Marit, mother Queen Sonja and sister Princess Martha Louise, spent time reading the tributes to Harald outside the Royal Palace. Javad Parsa/NTB Scanpix via AP
A large wreath from Haakon and his family was placed next to the coffin and a note, attached to the flowers, read: “Thank you…from Haakon, Mette, Ingrid, Magnus, Marius”.
Following the solemn procession King Haakon and his wife, along with Queen Sonja and Princess Märtha Louise emerged from the palace gates to look at the sea of floral tributes to the monarch, who is being remembered as Norway’s “grandfather”.
Queen Mette-Marit and Princess Märtha Louise were visibly moved with emotion as they spent time reading the cards and letters in the palace square, watched on by a silent crowd of mourners.
Princess Märtha Louise, too, has made headlines of her own for very different reasons. The 54-year-old, who is now third in line to the throne, has not had a formal royal role since November 2022. Her commercial endeavours have seen her earn the wrath of the royal house and public.
However, much like Høiby, she remains firmly within the royal fold.
King Harald V died on Friday, aged 89, following a 35-year reign. He was Europe’s oldest-serving monarch and had been in hospital for nearly two weeks battling a serious blood disorder and infection.
Queen Mette-Marit (left) had a lung transplant in June and was not expected to be seen in public for some time but the king’s death has changed the situation. AP
His state funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 9, inside Oslo Cathedral. Royalty and heads of state from around the world will attend, including Denmark’s King Frederik X and his wife, Australian-born Queen Mary.
The Prince of Wales is expected to represent his father, King Charles, as traditionally British monarchs do not attend funerals for other monarchs. When Pope Francis died in 2025, William was there in place of Charles III.
Harald’s son and successor King Haakon VIII will take the oath of allegiance in Norway’s Storting (parliament) on Tuesday (Tuesday evening in Australia).
Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, who lived in Australia for just under a year to attend Sydney University, joined her father, the new King Haakon VIII, at a memorial service at Asker Church on Sunday. Per Ole Hagen/Getty Images
He and Queen Mette-Marit will participate in a consecration service − Norway’s version of a coronation.
Mette-Marit, 53, has taken a prominent role alongside her husband since Friday despite receiving a lung transplant in June. The queen was not expected to have any public-facing duties during her year of recovery, because of the serious risk of infection. However, the king’s death has shifted circumstances.
King Haakon, also 53, became king immediately after his father’s death on Friday and gave his first speech as monarch on Saturday in a televised address.
King Haakon VIII gave a televised address in the hours after his father’s death on Friday. The Royal House of Norway
“Thank you for being such a good dad,” King Haakon said, speaking of his late father. At his desk was a framed photo of Harald V and a vase filled with white flowers.
Haakon said Harald had been a good father to himself and his sister, Princess Märtha Louise, as well as a “warm and funny grandfather” to his six grandchildren and a “loving and caring husband” to his widow, Queen Sonja.
The late king and Queen Sonja were due to celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary the day after his death.
Haakon described his father as a moderniser and “people’s king”.
Norway is now in a period of mourning which will end when Harald V is laid to rest at Akershus Fortress on Wednesday. Rune Hellestad/Getty Images
“Now it is my turn,” he said, adding that a “major task” awaited him and that he wished to be “present and attentive” going forward.
He thanked the outpouring of love and support from across the country and world, describing the scenes as a “powerful and moving experience”.
“We are in mourning, yet at the same time it brings comfort and strength that so many are grieving together with us,” he said.
“He constantly reminded us in the family that each of us must do things in our own way. Find our own style. Be ourselves.”