The Norwegian royal family has had a turbulent 2024 to say the least.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s son, Marius Borg Høiby, has been accused of several crimes and now the king is commenting on the events in his New Year’s speech.
– For us in the family, this has been a year when we were really put to the test, says King Harald.
There has been quite a storm surrounding Marius Borg Høiby and the Norwegian royal house in recent months. In August, he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, then he has been charged with several other cases of intimate partner violence and for threatening to kill a man.
In mid-December, the news came that he was also being investigated on suspicion of violating a restraining order against a former girlfriend.
Commented on the year – quoted Cohen
In his annual New Year’s speech today, King Harald commented on the royal family’s 2024 and quickly got into the more turbulent events, reports Dagbladet.
– For us in the family, this has been a year when we were really put to the test. A year when we became even more aware of what matters in this life, said King Harald.
He also said that he is not a psychologist, but that it is important to find ways to deal with various adversities. Then he quoted the poet and singer Leonard Cohen.
– Leonard Cohen sings in one of his songs: There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light comes in. It gives us all hope when we feel like something is breaking.
The court expert: The king does what he must
Although the king never mentioned Marius and the criminal suspects directly, the Norwegian Se och Hörs court expert, Caroline Vagle, believes that everyone understands what the king is referring to.
– He addresses the family’s difficult years in a way that affects us all. Life does not always turn out as we planned, sometimes it is difficult. But we need each other and we have to hold on to hope, says Vagle.
She believes that many people in Norway can identify with the king and his family’s situation, where things are tough at times.
– Here the king does exactly what he has to, gathers us. To talk about us and that we have to take care of each other, says Vagle.
The Crown Princess: It’s been tough for all of us
The Crown Prince couple have been cautious in their comments regarding Marius Borg Høiby and the accusations, but in connection with an annual summary program on NRK, Crown Princess Mette-Marit commented in 2024.
– It’s been rock-hard, you can’t say anything else. It has been really tough for all of us, I think, says the Crown Princess.