Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has two children with Crown Prince Haakon, the future king, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18.
But the queen also has a 27-year-old son, Marius, from a previous relationship with convicted felon Morten Borg, who, as heir to the throne and third in line to the throne, does not appear to be living by the royal rule book followed by his younger siblings.
© GettyMarius with his mother, stepfather and half-siblings (2019)
Marius' arrest and drug use
The princess's eldest son made headlines earlier this month when he was arrested for “psychologically and physically” attacking a woman in her 20s who was later revealed to be his girlfriend.
© GettyMarius Borg Høiby spoke about the arrest in a statement through his lawyer.
According to Se og Hør, Haakon's son-in-law was detained in police custody for more than 30 hours following an “incident in an apartment” in Frogner, Oslo, on Sunday, August 4, and was later admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion.
In a statement through his lawyer, Marius said: “Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. After an argument, I became intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine, caused physical harm and destroyed property in the apartment.”
He continued, “I have several mental illnesses that have challenged me throughout my childhood and into adulthood, and I still do. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time and have received treatment for it in the past. I have now resumed treatment and am committed to doing so.”
© picture allianceCrown Prince Haakon, his new wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit, and their son Marius at their wedding in 2001
Marius added: “Neither my drug use nor my diagnosis excuse the events that occurred at Frogner's apartment last Sunday night. I want to take responsibility for what I have done and I will be honest with the police.”
“The most important thing for me is to apologise to her. She did not deserve what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure she suffered afterwards from the Norwegian and foreign press. Being hounded by photographers and journalists at a time like this must have been unbearable.”
© GettyMarius is not a prince
He continued, “I also want to apologize to my family. I know my actions have had a huge impact on you all. So, my love, I am sorry. This should never have happened and I take full responsibility for my actions.”
Marius' life outside the royal rulebook
As the grandson of King Harald, Marius is used to flouting the royal protocols followed by his siblings. In Norway, the tattooed 27-year-old motorbike mechanic has been labelled the family's “black sheep”.
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He has accompanied the royal family on official engagements since his mother's wedding in 2001, but the palace said he has no official working role.
In fact, according to Se og Hol, in 2016 Marius was accused of selling luxury goods online, using the Royal Palace as his address, despite living in Skågum. Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet has since described Marius's social circle as including “wealthy heirs, reality TV celebrities and influential people” and even “people convicted of cocaine trafficking and serious crimes.”
© AlamyMrius is based at the Royal Palace in Oslo
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Marius' father, Morten Borg, was in prison for violent drug-related crimes at the time of Marius' birth, and Mette-Marit was introduced to her children's father through her former fiancé, John Ogunbiyi, who was also convicted.
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