The recent funeral procession for the late King Harald V of Norway has ignited public backlash due to the participation of Marius Borg Høiby, the new King Haakon's stepson, who is currently serving a house arrest sentence for rape.
Høiby, 29, was among the royal family members who carried King Harald's coffin from the Royal Palace to the palace chapel on Monday. His presence and temporary release from house arrest for the funeral duties on September 9 have drawn criticism from royal supporters and the public.
Police prosecutor Oda Karterud confirmed that Høiby was granted leave from his confinement after the public prosecutor found grounds to approve his request in connection with the King's death. Høiby had previously been allowed to visit King Harald in the hospital shortly before his passing.
Høiby is serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at the Skaugum Estate while appealing his June conviction for two counts of rape. He was also found guilty of 32 other offenses, including drug offenses, violence against a former partner, and breaches of restraining orders, though acquitted of two additional rape charges. His appeal means his four-year sentence is currently not upheld, but he remains under house arrest with electronic monitoring.
The decision to allow Høiby to attend the ceremonies has angered many, with social media users questioning why a convicted criminal would be given such freedom. Comments highlighted a perceived double standard compared to what ordinary citizens might face after a similar conviction.
The controversy casts a shadow over the Norwegian royal family during a period of transition. King Harald died on Friday at the age of 89 after a prolonged illness. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has since become King Haakon VIII, and Mette-Marit has assumed the role of Queen. Queen Mette-Marit, who has been undergoing treatment for pulmonary fibrosis and recently had a lung transplant, made her first official appearance since her husband's ascension.
Adding to the recent challenges, Queen Mette-Marit has faced scrutiny over her past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. She has stated she was manipulated and was unaware of his predatory activities.
Amidst the public mourning for King Harald, with thousands paying their respects, the royal family has also continued to share images of Høiby, including a Christmas portrait from 2008 and a photo from the King and Queen's 25th wedding anniversary, which some online commenters viewed as an "unbelievable mistake" given his conviction.