Mette-Marit: A Royal Narrative Unveiled
Exploring the life, challenges, and public service of Norway's Crown Princess.
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Introduction
The Crown Princess
Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, born on 19 August 1973, holds the esteemed position of Crown Princess of Norway. Her journey to royalty is notable as she was born a commoner in Kristiansand, Norway. In 2001, she married Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne, thereby joining the House of Glücksburg. The couple has two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, in addition to her elder son, Marius Borg Høiby.
A Life of Service
Beyond her ceremonial duties, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has dedicated herself to significant public service. Since 2006, she has served as a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, focusing on the empowerment of youth in the global AIDS response. Her work has involved participation in international conferences and visits to various countries to raise awareness and advocate for vulnerable populations.
A Complex Public Figure
Mette-Marit's entry into the Norwegian royal family was met with considerable public and media scrutiny due to her background as a former single mother and her past relationships. Despite initial controversies, she has carved out a role within the monarchy, though public perception has remained a recurring theme throughout her royal tenure, with recent events further influencing public opinion.
Early Life & Education
Formative Years
Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was born in Kristiansand, a city in southern Norway. Her parents, Sven O. Høiby, a former small-scale advertiser and journalist, and Marit Tjessem, a former bank clerk, later divorced. Notably, her father had a criminal record, having been convicted twice for violence, and later married professional stripper Renate Barsgård. Mette-Marit has a sister and two older brothers, including Per Høiby. Tragically, her step-brother, Trond Berntsen, from her mother's second marriage, was a victim of the 2011 Norway attacks. Her ancestral lineage primarily consists of cotters and small farmers.
Academic Pursuits
Her educational path included attendance at Oddernes upper secondary school in Kristiansand, followed by a six-month exchange program at Wangaratta High School in North East Victoria, Australia, through Youth For Understanding. She completed her final examinations at Kristiansand Cathedral School in 1994. Her post-secondary education involved preparatory college courses at Agder College and university-level studies. Between 2002 and 2003, she attended lectures in development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. In 2012, she furthered her academic credentials by obtaining a master's degree in executive management.
Early Career
Prior to her royal marriage, Mette-Marit gained professional experience through various roles. She spent several months working for the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce at Norway House in London. Additionally, she worked intermittently as a waitress at Café Engebret in Oslo, demonstrating a diverse range of experiences before her life took a royal turn.
Personal Journey
Pre-Royal Life
By her own account, Mette-Marit experienced a "rebellious phase" prior to meeting Crown Prince Haakon. She was known as "Sørlandsporten" and was characterized as a "party girl" with a history of relationships involving individuals within Oslo's drug scene. One significant relationship was with John Ognby, a man convicted of drug-related offenses, with whom she had reportedly planned marriage.
Motherhood & Marriage
Mette-Marit became a mother to her first son, Marius Borg Høiby, born on 13 January 1997. His biological father is Morten Borg, a convicted felon and an associate of John Ognby; Mette-Marit and Morten Borg were not in a relationship. At the time of Marius's birth, Borg was incarcerated for drug-related violent crimes. Mette-Marit met Crown Prince Haakon at the Quart Festival in Kristiansand and reconnected with him years later. Their engagement was announced in December 2000, and they cohabited in Oslo before their marriage, a decision that drew disapproval from the conservative Church of Norway. The couple married on 25 August 2001 at Oslo Cathedral and subsequently had two children: Princess Ingrid Alexandra (born 21 January 2004) and Prince Sverre Magnus (born 3 December 2005).
Health Challenges
In October 2018, Crown Princess Mette-Marit was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, for which she has been undergoing treatment at Oslo University Hospital. This diagnosis is part of a broader history of health challenges, which have included bouts of pneumonia, norovirus infections, low blood pressure, falls, concussions, a neck injury, and a herniated disc, indicating a consistent struggle with various ailments.
The Marius Høiby Case
In August 2025, Mette-Marit's son, Marius Borg Høiby, faced significant legal challenges, being charged with 32 different offenses, including four counts of rape and acts of violence against two former partners. Media reports suggested that Høiby and his family received preferential treatment from law enforcement. Furthermore, Crown Princess Mette-Marit herself was accused of warning her son about his impending arrest and of engaging in evidence tampering and witness tampering. This case has been widely described in Norwegian media as one of the most extensive rape investigations in recent years, drawing considerable public attention and scrutiny.
Public Engagements
Initial Public Reception
The announcement of Crown Prince Haakon's engagement to Mette-Marit in 2000 elicited a largely negative public and media response in Norway. Many Norwegians expressed being "horrified," citing Mette-Marit's perceived lack of education, her previous relationships with convicted felons, and her association with a social environment where "drugs were readily available." Princess Ragnhild, King Harald's elder sister, publicly stated that her father, King Olav, would never have permitted the marriage and expressed sympathy for Marius Høiby, who would not receive a royal title. The couple's cohabitation before marriage also drew disapproval from the conservative Church of Norway, contributing to an ongoing public discourse about Mette-Marit's past in the early years of her royal life.
Royal Responsibilities
Upon her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon in 2001, Mette-Marit officially received the title "Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Norway." As a result, her daughter, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, is second in line to the Norwegian throne, and her son, Prince Sverre Magnus, is third. Early in her public life, her appointment as an intern at NORAD, the Norwegian government's development organization, faced criticism due to perceived lack of relevant qualifications. A 2007 TV2 documentary, "Mette-Marit – vår tids Askepott" (Cinderella of our time), further explored her past.
Advocacy & Initiatives
Crown Princess Mette-Marit serves as a patron for the Norwegian Red Cross and various other organizations, demonstrating her commitment to humanitarian and social causes. Her international recognition includes being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2010 and becoming a member of the international Foundation Board of the Global Shapers Community in 2012. In 2017, she was appointed as an ambassador for Norwegian literature on the international stage. Together with Crown Prince Haakon, she established The Crown Prince and Crown Princess's Foundation, which aims to identify and support projects for young people in Norway, fostering youth leadership and integration.
Controversies
In 2012, Mette-Marit became embroiled in controversy for assisting a Norwegian couple with royal ties in obtaining surrogacy services in India, a practice banned in Norway. This action drew strong criticism from women's rights groups, who accused her of involvement in human trafficking that exploited women in developing nations. Subsequently, India itself banned the practice in 2013, citing concerns about human trafficking and harm to women and children. In 2019, further controversy arose regarding her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She met him multiple times between 2011 and 2013, after his 2008 conviction. Crown Prince Haakon also met Epstein on one occasion. Mette-Marit publicly expressed regret for not having thoroughly investigated Epstein's past, and the Royal Palace confirmed she ceased contact when he attempted to leverage their connection to "influence other people."
Monarchy's Standing
As of 2024, Crown Princess Mette-Marit's public approval rating remains low, with only 27% of Norwegians expressing approval of her as a future queen. Recent events, including the criminal case involving her son, Marius Høiby, and controversies surrounding the King's son-in-law Durek Verrett, have been widely cited in Norwegian media as contributing factors to a decline in the Norwegian royal family's overall reputation and an intensified debate regarding the future of the monarchy in Norway.
Global Advocacy: UNAIDS
UNAIDS Ambassador
Since 2006, Crown Princess Mette-Marit has served as an International Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. In this significant role, her primary focus has been on the empowerment of youth within the global AIDS response, recognizing the critical role young people play in addressing the epidemic.
International Engagements
As part of her ambassadorship, the Crown Princess has actively participated in numerous international AIDS conferences and undertaken visits to various countries. These engagements are aimed at raising awareness about the vital work and mission of UNAIDS. During a visit to Mali, she highlighted the transformative opportunities that social media offers for empowering young people in new areas of advocacy. In Tanzania in April 2016, she expressed satisfaction in observing young, skilled individuals assuming leadership roles in the AIDS response, guiding the nation towards an AIDS-free generation. She also notably opened the Youth Pavilion at the XVIII International AIDS Conference.
Addressing Stigma
At the 2014 United Nations General Assembly, Crown Princess Mette-Marit delivered a powerful message, emphasizing how pervasive stigma and discrimination continue to undermine progress in the global AIDS response. Her advocacy underscores the importance of addressing social barriers alongside medical advancements to achieve an effective and equitable outcome.
Titles & Heraldry
Evolution of Style
Mette-Marit's formal style and title have evolved with her marriage into the Norwegian Royal Family:
- 19 August 1973 – 25 August 2001: Miss Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby
- 25 August 2001 – present: Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Norway
This transition reflects her change in status from a commoner to a member of the royal house upon her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon.
Heraldic Emblems
As a member of the Norwegian Royal Family, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is associated with specific heraldic symbols. These include the Coat of Arms of Princes and Princesses of Norway, which visually represents her affiliation with the royal house. Additionally, she possesses a personal royal monogram, a stylized emblem typically incorporating her initial and a crown, used for personal effects and official stationery.
Distinctions & Accolades
National Recognition
Crown Princess Mette-Marit has received several prestigious national honors from Norway, recognizing her contributions and status within the kingdom:
- Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav
- Dame of the Royal Family Decoration of King Harald V
- Recipient of the Medal of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of King Olav V
- Recipient of the Royal House Centenary Medal
- Recipient of the King Harald V Silver Jubilee Medal
International Accolades
Her international engagements and diplomatic roles have also earned her numerous foreign honors, reflecting her standing on the global stage:
- Austria: Grand Cross, 1st Class of the Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
- Brazil: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
- Bulgaria: Grand Cross of the Order of the Balkan Mountains
- Denmark: Knight of the Order of the Elephant
- Estonia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana; Grand Cross of the Order of the White Star
- Finland: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
- France: Grand Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour (awarded 23 June 2025)
- Germany: Grand Cross, 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Iceland: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
- Italy: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Japan: Paulownia Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown
- Latvia: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Recognition
- Lithuania: Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great
- Luxembourg: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
- Netherlands: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau; Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
- Poland: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- Portugal: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry
- Spain: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
- Sweden: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star
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