"Of course it's difficult. Both for those of us who are around, for me as a sister, and for mom and dad. And, of course, for everyone affected by the case," Princess Ingrid Alexandra told NRK reporter Frode Fjerdingstad, according to an official English translation provided by the broadcaster. When pressed on the challenges of following the unfolding scandal from halfway across the world in Australia, she added: "Yes, it is... I don't know if I want to go into it much more than that." Her measured words mark a poignant moment for the young royal, who has largely avoided personal commentary on family crises despite her prominent position second in line to the throne after her father, Crown Prince Haakon.
The interview, published on November 2, comes amid a tumultuous period for the Norwegian royal family, which has grappled with intense media scrutiny and public backlash over Høiby's legal troubles. Høiby, the eldest child of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship prior to her 2001 marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, faces 32 criminal charges stemming from a year-long police investigation. These include four counts of rape—allegedly committed against different women between 2018 and 2024, with some victims reportedly assaulted while asleep or incapacitated—along with multiple instances of domestic violence, bodily harm, vandalism, violations of restraining orders, and other offenses.
Oslo state attorney Sturla Henriksbø described the case as "very serious" during an August 2025 press conference announcing the indictment, emphasizing that "rape and violence in close relationships are very serious acts that can leave lasting traces and destroy lives." Prosecutors have highlighted evidence including text messages, witness interviews, photographic and video material, and searches of Høiby's residences, noting that one alleged rape occurred after his initial arrest in August 2024. If convicted on the most severe charges, Høiby could face up to 10 years in prison.
Høiby has vehemently denied the rape and major violence allegations through his defense team, though he reportedly plans to plead guilty to some lesser offenses, such as property damage and substance-related incidents. His lawyer, Ellen Holager Andenæs, confirmed the trial dates—spanning February 3 to March 13, 2026, in Oslo District Court—and stressed that her client rejects claims of sexual abuse. Høiby, who holds no royal title or public duties and lives privately on the grounds of Skaugum Estate (the Crown Prince's residence), has been free pending trial but entered a drug rehabilitation program in late 2024 amid admissions of long-term substance abuse and mental health struggles.
The saga began escalating in August 2024 when Høiby was first arrested following a violent altercation at an Oslo apartment, where he admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Subsequent arrests in September and November 2024 involved breaches of restraining orders and additional rape suspicions. Police have described the investigation as one of Norway's most extensive in recent years for sexual offenses, involving a "double-digit" number of potential victims, many from Høiby's past relationships.
For the royal household, the charges have triggered a rare dip in public approval. A December 2024 NRK poll revealed that 45% of Norwegians viewed the monarchy less favorably due to the scandal. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, 52, has spoken candidly about the "challenging" year, telling NRK on Christmas Day 2024 that the events had been "demanding" for the family. Crown Prince Haakon, 52, echoed this in November 2024, stating, "Today, of course, we are thinking of all those affected." The palace has repeatedly affirmed that the courts will handle the matter impartially, insisting Høiby's royal connections afford no special treatment.
Princess Ingrid Alexandra's decision to address the issue comes during her transition to student life abroad. Announced in May 2025, her enrollment at the University of Sydney follows 15 months of military service in Norway's Engineer Battalion, where she served as a gunner on CV-90 vehicles. She arrived in Sydney in late July 2025, settling into campus housing in Camperdown and sharing enthusiastic photos of the harbor and university grounds. "I'm looking forward to starting my studies... It will be exciting to become a student, and I'm looking forward to gaining new perspectives on both European and international politics," she said in a July statement.
Her parents visited to help her adjust, with Mette-Marit staying extended periods and Haakon joining briefly after a family trip. The princess, who misses her dog Milly the most, maintains close ties home via phone calls and has stepped back from most royal duties to focus on academics, though she participated in a state visit in April 2025.
Born January 21, 2004, Ingrid Alexandra is the first female heir in Norway's modern line of succession, thanks to 1990 constitutional changes allowing absolute primogeniture. Christened with godparents including King Frederik X of Denmark and Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, she has represented the monarchy at events like the 2022 Beijing Olympics and her own 18th birthday gala. Her younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus, 19, rounds out the immediate family.
As Høiby's trial looms—expected to last six weeks and draw global attention—the princess's brief but empathetic remarks underscore the human toll on a family long admired for its relatability. NRK's interview also touched lighter topics: Ingrid Alexandra joked about King Harald's aversion to digital tools and praised Sydney's vibrancy, but the shadow of her half-brother's case lingered.
Prosecutors remain confident in their evidence, while Høiby's team prepares a robust defense. For now, Norway watches as its future queen navigates personal heartache alongside academic ambitions, embodying resilience in the face of unprecedented royal turmoil. The palace declined further comment, reiterating faith in the judicial process.
