The funeral of Norway’s beloved King Harald V was meant to be a solemn farewell. However, one family member quickly became the center of attention, as widow Queen Sonja seemed to ignore her convicted stepson, Marius Borg Høiby.
A time of mourning for the Norwegian Royal Family also sparked backlash over the presence of Marius Borg Høiby, the new king’s 29-year-old stepson. King Harald V died on August 28 at the age of 89 after spending 35 years on the throne.
On September 1, his son, Haakon VIII, took the Oath of Allegiance and became the new King of Norway. This week, on Wednesday, the late king’s funeral was held in Oslo, Norway’s capital.
Royals – including the Swedish and Danish kings as well as Prince William from the UK – and dignitaries from around the world gathered in Oslo to say their final goodbyes.
The family members of the late king were, of course, also there. However, one family member’s presence at the funeral has now become a talking point of its own: Marius Borg Høiby’s.
The 29-year-old, who is the son of Queen Mette-Marit and stepson of Norway’s new King Haakon VIII, was present at the emotional ceremony despite his ongoing legal troubles.
King’s convicted stepson Marius Borg Høiby snubbed at royal funeral
He was convicted of two counts of rape and other offenses earlier this year and was sentenced to four years in prison. However, his case is currently on appeal.
The funeral held many special moments. But one moment involving Marius and his step-grandmother, Queen Sonja, has sparked fresh discussion.
Some reports have described the queen’s behavior toward her step-grandson as distant, fueling speculation that the family relationship may have changed dramatically.
Marius sat in the row behind his family during the funeral. Videos from the ceremony show Sonja hugging each of her daughter Martha Louise’s children, with whom Høiby was sitting. However, when Marius’ turn came, Sonja started a conversation with the Bishop of Oslo, Sunniva Glyver.
On social media, royal fans rapidly began speculating whether Sonja deliberately ignored Marius because of the scandals he’s been involved in.
“A stain on her husband’s funeral”
“Acted like he wasn’t even there. Some of the other Royal ladies were giving the little brat the nastiest of side eyes during the ceremony,” one person wrote in response to the clip on Reddit.
Another commented, “What a change from the days when she was playing with him during the royal family’s Christmas photoshoot.”
“Pretty sure the consequences of what Marius did brought a lot of stress to the late King and Queen Sonja. So her feelings are valid,” a third stated.
“I’m pretty sure Sonja and Harald loved him like a grandson so to betray the family and do something so heinous and have that be a stain on her husband’s funeral sucks,” a fourth wrote.
Marius has never been an official member of the Norwegian royal family, but he grew up alongside his royal half-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus.
Was regarded as a member of the Norwegian Royal Family
King Harald and Queen Sonja also welcomed him into the family after Mette-Marit married Haakon in 2001. Harald was known to have regarded Marius as a member of the family, despite his lack of royal title or official role.
Whether he and Sonja spoke off-camera, we don’t know. What is clear, however, is that Marius remains a deeply complicated figure within Norway’s royal family. Not least because of his past, which, regardless of where you come from, is never acceptable.
Rest in peace, King Harald. Please share your opinions on this in the comment section.
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