Marius Borg Høiby, the 28-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a relationship before her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, has suffered a significant legal defeat as he prepares to stand trial on a series of serious criminal charges.
The Oslo District Court has rejected Borg’s request to halt the distribution of the unauthorized biography White Lines, Black Sheep, ruling that the public interest in the book outweighs his demand for its withdrawal. The decision marks Borg’s first major courtroom setback ahead of his upcoming criminal trial.
Court Refuses to Ban the Book
Borg sought an injunction to stop sales of the biography, arguing that it contains false and defamatory claims. Among the book’s most controversial allegations is that he sold cocaine—an accusation his legal team strongly denies.
Although the court acknowledged that the cocaine allegation is “highly offensive” and questioned whether there was sufficient factual basis for the claim, the judges ultimately concluded that the publication should remain available because it concerns matters of significant public interest and is protected by freedom of expression.
“The court agrees that the allegation of cocaine sales is extremely offensive and may lack sufficient factual support. It also raised concerns about the legality of using Mr. Borg’s image on the book cover. Nevertheless, the court concluded that the book should not be withdrawn from circulation,” Borg’s lawyer, Elias Christensen, said following the ruling.
Despite the setback, Borg is reportedly considering an appeal.
Ordered to Pay More Than $57,000
The court’s decision carries a substantial financial consequence.
According to Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Borg must pay approximately $4,637 in court costs, along with an additional $53,332 to publisher Aschehoug and the Norwegian Publishers Association. The payments are due within two weeks, bringing his total financial liability to nearly $58,000.
Royal Family Distances Itself
In another significant development, Norway’s Royal Family has made it clear that it will not provide any financial assistance.
Speaking to Se og Hør, the Royal Household’s communications office confirmed that neither the Royal Palace nor Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will cover Borg’s legal expenses or any damages arising from the case.
The statement underscores the Royal Family’s continued effort to separate itself from Borg’s ongoing legal troubles.
A Controversial Biography
White Lines, Black Sheep was written by Dagbladet journalist Torgeir P. Krokfjord and former Dagbladet journalist Øistein Monsen. Drawing on numerous anonymous sources, the book paints a deeply controversial portrait of Borg and includes allegations that he sold illegal drugs in 2023.
Borg has categorically denied those accusations. However, he has publicly acknowledged struggling with substance addiction, a personal battle that has received widespread media attention.
Since its publication last October, the biography has sparked intense debate across Norway. While Borg and his lawyers maintain that the book contains numerous inaccuracies and damaging falsehoods, the court’s latest ruling ensures it will remain available to the public.
The legal defeat comes as Borg awaits trial on 32 criminal charges, including several counts of rape involving multiple women. He was first arrested on August 7, 2024, on suspicion of assaulting a woman, and the criminal proceedings against him continue to draw significant public and media attention.
For now, White Lines, Black Sheep will stay on bookstore shelves, while Marius Borg faces both mounting legal challenges and growing public scrutiny.
