CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT VISITS SON IN PRISON AS HEALTH CONCERNS MOUNT

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Crown Princess Mette-Marit made a highly publicized visit to Oslo Prison over the weekend to see her son, Marius Borg Høiby, in a rare family meeting that drew intense media attention across Norway.

The visit came shortly after the royal household announced that Mette-Marit had been placed on a lung transplant waiting list due to worsening pulmonary fibrosis. Norwegian media described the meeting as the first publicly known prison visit by the crown princess since her health crisis became public.

Crown Prince Haakon accompanied his wife during the visit. Images and reports from outside the prison quickly spread across Norwegian news outlets, where coverage of both Mette-Marit's health and Høiby's legal troubles has dominated headlines.

Marius Borg Høiby: (archive photo). Photo: NTB

Høiby is currently awaiting a verdict in a major criminal case involving numerous charges. His lawyers have argued that his mother's medical condition should be considered when evaluating requests for temporary release, though authorities have so far resisted those efforts.

The prison visit underscored the extraordinary pressures facing the royal family. While public sympathy has largely focused on Mette-Marit's health battle, continued developments in Høiby's legal case have ensured that the monarchy remains under constant public scrutiny.

Royal officials have declined to comment on the private family meeting beyond confirming ongoing support for the crown princess during her treatment.