In three weeks, Norway’s royal family will face one of the most challenging moments in its history. Marius Borg Høiby, the 29-year-old son of Princess Mette-Marit, will appear before a court of law as a defendant in a criminal trial. As the date of the "trial of the century" approaches, details about Marius' Christmas have begun to emerge, revealing that he enjoyed the holidays quietly, alongside the company of his sister, Princess Ingrid Alexandra.
While Marius largely kept a low profile during the final days of 2025, he was spotted on Christmas Eve in the Norwegian municipality of Hemsedal, a popular winter destination. Princess Ingrid was also spending part of the holidays there. The future queen had been skiing in the area after celebrating Christmas Eve with her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Princess Mette-Marit, at their mountain retreat in Uvdal.
During her stay in the region, Princess Ingrid reportedly enjoyed some rare downtime. She spent quality time with close friends and attended a concert by Swedish hip-hop artist Timbuktu, making the most of the brief pause from her increasingly public royal responsibilities. She reunited with her older brother in Hemsedal for a low-key sibling outing.
According to the Norwegian magazine Se og Hør, Marius and Ingrid shared a Christmas lunch that defied traditions. Instead of a formal holiday meal, the siblings opted for pizza and beer. The casual plan underscored Marius’s desire to stay out of the spotlight and the close bond that the siblings share.
Nordic media have long reported that Princess Ingrid is one of Marius’s strongest sources of support, and those close to the family share that the two enjoy spending time together away from the public.
Ingrid's sweet shoutout to her brother
Their closeness has been evident for years. In June 2022, during her speech at the gala dinner celebrating her 18th birthday, Princess Ingrid spoke fondly of her brother and their bond. “Marius, thank you for everything I’ve learned from you and for always being someone I can talk to about anything. Thank you for always protecting me,” she said.
More recently, Princess Ingrid addressed her brother's legal case with the Norwegian newspaper VG. “What he is accused of is difficult for me, especially as his sister, and for the rest of the family,” she said. “And of course, not least for everyone affected.”
As the trial date draws nearer, the Norwegian royal family remains under intense public scrutiny. Against that backdrop, Marius' quiet Christmas, made up of pizza, beer, and one-on-one time with his sister, stands in stark contrast with what lies ahead.