Mother of Marius Borg Høiby's ex-girlfriend who claims she was subjected to 'psychological and physical violence' during their relationship brands him an 'abuser of women' and slams his 'empty apology' following recent assault on a model

The mother of Marius Borg Høiby’s ex-girlfriend who claims she was ‘attacked’ during their relationship has branded him an ‘abuser of women’.

In a scandal that has rocked the country, Høiby, 27, stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, yesterday issued a grovelling statement saying sorry for attacking Rebecca Helberg Arntsen in a cocaine and drink-fuelled frenzy, citing his mental health diagnosis.

But his words cut little ice with Nina Snekkestad, whose own successful model daughter Juliane, 29, dated tattooed Marius, dubbed the ‘black sheep’ of the Norwegian royals, for four years until 2022.

‘It’s not fair – even if you have baggage from your childhood, even if you have diagnoses, many people have such problems,’ yoga teacher Mrs Snekkestad told MailOnline.

‘But it doesn’t give you the right to go out and treat other people badly.

Nina Snekkestad, the mother of Marius’ ex-girlfriend Nina, has slammed his ’empty apology’ 

Her model daughter Juliane, 29, dated tattooed Marius, dubbed the ‘black sheep’ of the Norwegian royals, for four years until 2022. Pictured together in 2019

‘Saying “I have a diagnosis” isn’t justifiable – you have to be held responsible for your actions, and anything else is just making empty excuses.’

Mrs Snekkestad, in her 50s, said her daughter – who has returned home to her parents for now in the small coastal hometown of Tønsberg, 60 miles from Oslo – was tearful, after memories of her turbulent relationship with Marius had been rekindled by recent events.

‘We are all in a very, very emotional process right now and Juliane is crying a lot because it’s been really tough after all this dramatic experience with her ex.

‘She’s not able to speak right now, it’s just all so upsetting for her.’

In a recent interview with Aftenposten, the strong bond between mother and daughter was clear.

Mrs Snekkestad said: ‘She was born with a very special gift, a deep compassion and love for everyone around her. She grew up with a cat, dog, hamster, aquarium fish and budgie, and felt a sense of security in being with animals.

Juliane was born under the sign of Cancer, they are very family-oriented. We are very good friends. She is my role model, a warm-hearted person with strong integrity.’

Earlier this week, Juliane, who met Borg Høiby in London where she worked as a model, released her own statement about the case on Instagram, claiming to have been ‘subjected to psychological and physical violence by the person in question’.

The future King of Norway’s stepson (pictured left) has admitted to assaulting his ‘girlfriend’ ‘after an argument’ while ‘intoxicated with cocaine and alcohol’ 

Sharing a post on her Instagram Stories, she said: ‘The last few days have been strange and painful. In the last week I have received a lot of phone calls; messages… regarding my ex’s order.

‘First, I would like to send warm thoughts to those affected by the case. Although the closest family and friends have known about this, I now no longer choose to remain silent. Because I actually can’t keep silent any longer.

‘And to answer the clues: Yes. I have previously been subjected to psychological and physical violence by the person in question. Where the psychological violence was most brutal for me.

‘I’m not sharing this because I want pity… Or to put the focus on me… This has happened before. And this must be stopped now,’ her statement read, when translated from Norwegian to English.

In his statement to Norwegian media and MailOnline, Borg Høiby, labelled the ‘black sheep’ of the Norwegian Royal Family, said that ‘something happened that should never have happened.’

‘I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine after an argument,’ he added.

Borg Høiby said he had suffered with ‘mental troubles’ and struggled ‘for a long time with substance abuse’. He said he would seek new treatment and ‘take it very seriously’.

But he added that ‘the consumption of drugs and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment.’ ‘I want to take responsibility for what I did,’ he said, promising to be frank with police.

Mrs Snekkestad (pictured), in her 50s, said her daughter – who has returned home to her parents for now in the small coastal hometown of Tønsberg, 60 miles from Oslo – was tearful

Mrs Snekkestad is a yoga teacher and has a very close bond with her model daughter

Since news of his arrest last weekend, when he spent 30 hours in police custody, one of Høiby’s ex-girlfriends, Juliane Snekkestad, has claimed to have been ‘subjected to psychological and physical violence’ while they were dating. Sharing a post on her Instagram Stories (pictured), the model said: ‘I now no longer choose to remain silent.’

He added: ‘For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.’

Princess Mette-Marit’s eldest son also apologised to his family for his actions that have ‘greatly affected you’.

Borg Høiby has already pleaded guilty and says he is ready to serve out whatever sentence is handed down, his lawyer Oyvind Bratlien told Norway’s TV2 television.

The royal family has so far made no comment on the arrest.

It comes after another ex-partner of the future King of Norway’s stepson has sensationally claimed he ‘punched, strangled and kicked’ her during their relationship – after he confessed to carrying out a cocaine and alcohol-fuelled assault on his ‘girlfriend’. 

Nora Haukland, 27, who found fame after winning Norway’s Love Island in 2020, started dating Marius Borg Høiby, 27, for just over a year before going their separate ways last summer. 

She has now made several accusations on Snapchat about their time together, claiming: ‘He has punched me in the face. He’s kicked me, he’s strangled me, he’s trashed my apartment.’

Her comments come after he admitted assaulting his ‘girlfriend’ ‘after an argument’ while ‘intoxicated with cocaine and alcohol’ in a statement which has rocked the Nordic nation.

Nora Haukland, 27, who found fame after winning Norway’s Love Island in 2020, started dating Marius Borg Høiby (pictured together), 27, for just over a year before going their separate ways last summer

But Nora – who is the second ex-girlfriend of Borg Høiby’s to accuse him of ‘psychological and physical violence’ towards them – said she was ‘frustrated’ that the former mechanic seemed to ‘pretend that this is a one-off case’

Meanwhile, since his statement, the victim’s lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen told Dagbladet: ‘The last time I spoke to my client they were not lovers,’ – despite Borg Høiby apologising ‘to my girlfriend’.

Police arrested Borg Høiby on August 4, near Skaugum Castle, his family’s official residence, following a night-time row at an apartment in Oslo. He spent 30 hours in police custody, according to local media reports. 

He has been accused of causing bodily harm and injuring a woman with whom he was having a relationship. In July, Borg Høiby announced he was dating Rebecca Helberg Arntsen.

Following his a frank admission of his culpability and a grovelling apology to Ms Arntsen and his loved ones, Borg Høiby’s ex girlfriend, Nora, took to Snapchat to accuse the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit of violence.

She said: ‘I thought I would keep my mouth shut until my ex’s statement came out, and then I felt a great sense of frustration. Marius speaks as if this is the first time it has happened. 

‘He asks for some kind of empathy, ‘I’m going to get help, I’m struggling, my girlfriend’ and all of this felt very familiar. He also said he should get help when I left him,’ she claimed in the clip, according to Norwegian magazine Se og Hør.

She added: ‘Marius has been physical towards me. He has punched me in the face. He’s kicked me, he’s strangled me, he’s trashed my apartment. He has also destroyed things in Mum’s new house.’

Nora also referred to the allegations made by Juliane Snekkestad, who accused him of ‘psychological and physical violence’ in an Instagram Story earlier this week.

‘But as Juliane said, the very worst thing for me was also the psychological part. Yelling, the threats,’ said Nora.

Nora (pictured with her ex Borg Høiby) has now made several accusations on Snapchat about their time together, claiming: ‘He has punched me in the face. He’s kicked me, he’s strangled me, he’s trashed my apartment.’ 

Nora (pictured with her ex Borg Høiby) comments come after Borg Høiby, the stepson of heir apparent Crown Prince Haakon, admitted to assaulting his ‘girlfriend’ ‘after an argument’ while ‘intoxicated with cocaine and alcohol’ in a statement which has rocked the Nordic nation

But Nora – who is the second ex-girlfriend of Borg Høiby’s to accuse him of ‘psychological and physical violence’ towards them – said she was ‘frustrated’ that the former mechanic seemed to ‘pretend that this is a one-off case’

The crown prince’s stepson had only just announced his relationship with Rebecca Helberg Arntsen (pictured) in July

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Marius Borg Hoiby arrive at Ravnakloa fish market on June 23, 2016 in Trondheim

Norwegian magazine Se og Hør has released images of what they claim is the apartment where the ‘violent episode took place’. Photos show a knife planted in a wall and a broken chandelier

She continued: ‘I see him pretending that this is a one-off case and that he is only taking responsibility for something that is public. It bothers me. 

‘I also want to say a big thank you to Juliane who stood up, she found a strength that is absolutely incredible and I wouldn’t have been able to publish this if she hadn’t done the same and been there. 

‘And so I hope that everyone who experiences intimate partner violence finds the strength to leave, because it is very rare that it gets better.’

Photos reportedly taken of the home in Oslo after the argument showed a knife planted in the wall and a broken chandelier, reported Se og Hør.

The day after the incident, the woman received medical treatment but was not admitted to hospital, her lawyer Mette Yvonne Larsen said. She told VG: ‘It is good that he is speaking out and admitting a drug problem and she is happy about that.’

Borg Høiby, son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, was raised by his mother and stepfather with his half-siblings, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18, but unlike them he has no official public role. 

The former motorcycle mechanic, who lives in the Royal Palace at Skaugum, just outside Oslo, was arrested the day after the assault, but not in the palace.

In a move believed engineered to avoid embarrassing his step-father Crown Prince Haakon, 51, police arrested Hoiby at a primary school just outside the imposing gates of the palace.

Royal expert Trond Isaksen Norén commented: ‘It is not at all positive for the royal family’s reputation.

‘The King has decided that Høiby is an official member of the royal family, thus this is the first time a member of the royal family has been charged. That says something about the seriousness,’ he told NTB.

Borg Høiby faces preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage, and could face up to a year in prison.

Police had previously confirmed the alleged victim was in a ‘relationship’ with the motorcycle mechanic, according to reports.

Marius pictured with other members of the Norwegian royal family, including the King, Queen, and heir to the throne in June 2022

Borg Høiby (pictured) ‘allegedly threatened to set fire to and burn the girl’s clothes and belongings’ whilst on the phone, reported Se og Hør

Borg Høiby (pictured with Prince Haakon in 2017) is under suspicion for causing bodily harm and criminal damage, Oslo police said Wednesday 

Two anonymous sources also told Se og Hor that police had audio recordings of the crown prince’s stepson calling the woman and ‘threatening to set fire to and burn the girl’s clothes and belongings’.

FEMAIL contacted the Norwegian Royal Household for comment, who said: ‘We refer to Marius Borg Høiby’s attorney in this matter.’

Øyvind Bratlien, the defence lawyer hired by Borg Høiby, has also been contacted by FEMAIL.

Mette Yvonne Larsen, the assistance lawyer for the woman involved in the case, told Se og Hør that the woman is on sick leave, having had medical supervision. She has not requested a restraining order or been admitted to hospital.

But Mette-Marit and her husband Haakon, who is Princess Anne’s godson, refused to let the royal shock deter them from their plans this weekend – with the royal couple photographed enjoying the Olympics on Saturday.

The royal mother was full of smiles as she cheered on athletes in the Men’s 5000m final at the Stade de France in Paris, on Saturday, after watching the gold medal handball match between Norway and France. 

Mette-Marit – who also joined her husband on Friday to watch the athletics – put on an enthusiastic display, waving to crowds whilst by the Prince’s side, despite the news of her son’s arrest.

Police said they were called to an Oslo address early Sunday after an overnight altercation in an apartment.

Borg Høiby (pictured) lives with the royal couple and their two children

Norway’s Princess Ingrid Alexandra (front C) poses for a family photo with (front L and R) Norway’s King Harald V and Norway’s Queen Sonja and (back LtoR) Marit Tjessem, Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus and Marius Borg Hoiby on the occasion of a gala dinner for her 18th birthday in Oslo in 2022

When he turned 20, the royal court announced Marius was stepping away from public life and his profile was removed from the family’s official website

A man in his 20s was arrested over the incident and released from custody the following day, police said in a statement.

‘As it has been made known in several media that this (person) is Marius Borg Høiby, the police confirm that it is Høiby who is a suspect in the case.’

Police said he was suspected of causing ‘bodily harm and damage’. They did not identify the woman, saying only there was ‘relationship between the accused and the victim’.

Norwegian news agency NTB said that Mette-Marit had postponed a planned trip to attend the Olympic Games in Paris while her husband Haakon travelled to the French capital. The reason for the postponement was not given.

In Paris, Haakon told Norwegian reporters that ‘it is a serious matter when the police are involved in the way they are, but at the same time it is not right for me to go into the details of the case.’

The police’s security service (PST), which is responsible for the security of the royal family, confirmed to Nettavisen that they are aware of the incident. 

‘We can confirm that PST was informed shortly after the incident. But we do not want to comment on the case further and we refer the Oslo police district for statements’, said Martin Bernsen, senior adviser in PST, to the newspaper. 

According to Lovdata, the Norwegian foundation which publishes judicial information, bodily harm can be punished ‘with a fine or imprisonment of up to one year, anyone who commits violence against another person or physically violates him in any other way is punished’.

If the charge is extended to grievous bodily harm the penalty can be up to six years in prison.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been pictured for the first time since her son was arrested after a serious incident on August 4

Growing up, Borg Høiby made public appearances with his mother, stepfather and half sister Ingrid Alexandra (who is the future queen of Norway) and half brother Prince Sverre Magnus on occasions such as national day.

However, when he turned 20 the royal court announced he was stepping away from public life and his profile was removed from the family’s official website.

‘Høiby will not conduct any official activities on the Royal Family’s behalf,’ a statement said, ‘on the basis of his wish to live outside the public eye.’

His mother Crown Princess Mette-Marit also published an open letter on the court website, saying: ‘Marius is, and will continue to be, a vital member of our family. He has always had a public role that has been very difficult to define.’

‘Unlike his siblings, he has no official duties. He won’t have a public role and is not a public person. Marius became a symbol for the unusual choice we made when we married.’

Borg Høiby – who lives with the royal couple and their two children – was previously linked to heiress Linn Helena Nilsen, but the couple split in July 2017.

Norway’s future queen made headlines in 2001 when she married Haakon, because she was a single mother who had lived a freewheeling life with a companion who had been convicted on drug charges.

Six years ago, she was diagnosed with chronic pulmonary fibrosis. The disease, which has no known cure, causes breathing problems as scar tissue forms on the lungs, and has forced her to slow down her hectic schedule of royal duties.

Meanwhile, her husband is preparing to take over the throne amid concerns over the health of his father, King Harald V, 87, who announced in April that he would make a ‘permanent reduction’ to his public engagements.

But Borg Høiby’s scandal is not the only controversy that has threatened the popular Norwegian royal family in recent times.

Princess Martha Louise, 52, the daughter of King Harald, was forced to step down as a working royal in 2022 due to her self-professed shaman fiancé Durek Verrett’s controversial views, including that childhood cancer is caused by unhappiness.

The couple are set to marry later this month – but their wedding has been overshadowed with dramas, including the pair being embroiled in a public row with Durek’s estranged 81-year-old mother. 

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