As Norway prepares for National Day, Crown Princess Mette-Marit is once again at the center of controversy. The future queen was photographed visiting her son at Oslo Prison, accompanied by her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, and an assistive breathing device. The device has drawn attention after Marius Borg requested to be transferred out of prison as he awaits sentencing, with his lawyers citing the facility's poor air quality as a barrier to visits from a close family member. The visit comes as Mette-Marit's public support continues to decline.
© NTBA show of support behind bars
The family arrived at Oslo fengsel, Norway's largest prison, in Haakon's black BMW. Haakon was photographed in the driver's seat and Mette-Marit in the passenger seat. As she stepped out of the car, she was seen carrying an assistive breathing device she has used on previous occasions, including at the most recent official engagement at Oslo's Royal Palace.
This is not the first time Mette-Marit and Haakon have visited Borg, who remains in remand while awaiting his verdict. The court denied Borg's request to serve out that remand period from home, rejecting his argument that his confinement was damaging his mental health — particularly due to the near-isolation he experiences as a result of being kept apart from the general prison population. As is standard practice in Norway for defendants facing rape charges, Borg is held separately from other inmates.
© NTBBorg and his lawyers also cited the prison's air quality, affected by mold and the building's age and humidity levels, claiming that it made visits from a family member difficult. Mette-Marit has pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that has worsened significantly over the past year, with her doctors exploring the possibility of a lung transplant.
A charged visit ahead of National Day
The visit takes place days before Norway's National Day on May 17th. The holiday carries significant weight for the royal family, which uses the occasion to project an image of unity, stability, and continuity. Mette-Marit has been confirmed to attend all events, including the balcony appearance and those held beyond the palace walls. National Day was historically the one official occasion on which Marius Borg participated, albeit in an unofficial capacity.
© Ian GavanOver the past year, Mette-Marit has been the subject of intense media scrutiny. In addition to her son's criminal trial, her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein have been reexamined following the release of a new trove of Epstein files in 2026, leading to a further erosion of public trust and the severing of ties with key organizations. Most recently, the Norwegian Girls' Choir removed her as its official patron.
Marius Borg's verdict will be delivered by the Oslo District Court on the morning of June 15th. If found guilty on the most serious charges, Borg faces a prosecution-requested sentence of seven years and seven months. He has been charged with 40 counts in total, including four of rape.
© LISE ASERUD
