Norway's new King refuses to ostracise rapist stepson as photos of Royal Family's 'black sheep' appear in tribute to late Harald V and on the monarch's desk during first speech

Norway's new King Haakon VIII has seemingly made a subtle gesture of support for his disgraced stepson Marius Borg Høiby, who is currently preparing to appeal his convictions for rape, aggravated assault and sexual molestation. A family portrait that depicted a young Høiby resting his head on his stepfather's shoulder was displayed on a cabinet behind Haakon, 53, during his first speech to the nation since becoming King. The televised address was filmed inside the Hall of Mirrors at the Royal Palace in Oslo after the death of Haakon's father, Harald V, plunged the nation into mourning last week. Høiby, who is Haakon's wife Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, is currently under house arrest at the Skaugum Estate but was seen alongside the family at the Oslo hospital where Harald V was admitted ahead of the late monarch's death. The Norwegian royal family has also continued to post pictures of Høiby after he was handed a four-year sentence for rape, domestic violence, driving violations, drug offences and breaches of restraining orders. One such photo was included in an official tribute to Harald, who died while receiving treatment for haemolytic anaemia at the age of 89, on the palace's official Instagram account last evening. The snowy Christmas portrait was taken at Skaugum Palace in 2008 and showed an 11-year-old Høiby sitting next to his step-grandmother, Queen Sonja, as the royal family 'grilled sausages over a campfire, built a snowman and went sledding'. Høiby also appeared as a toddler in an official photo released by the palace to mark King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit's 25th wedding anniversary, as fans online felt the decision was an 'unbelievable mistake' in light of the sentencing. The Norwegian royal family has continued to post pictures of Høiby after he was handed a four-year sentence for rape, domestic violence, driving violations, drug offences and breaches of restraining orders. He is seen here on the far-right of a Christmas portrait from 2008 A family portrait that depicted a young Høiby resting his head on his stepfather's shoulder was displayed on a cabinet behind Haakon, 53, during his first speech to the nation since becoming KingHøiby has denied the most serious charges, including rape, while admitting some of the lesser offences, as his lawyer told CNN they were awaiting a court decision on whether an appeal will be considered. On the occasion of Haakon and Mette-Marit's 25th silver anniversary last week, the palace shared previously unseen photographs from the couple's honeymoon to Long Island, US, in 2001. In one snap, Haakon could be seen carrying Høiby, then four, on his shoulders as they swam in the sea. Haakon and Mette-Marit were pictured visiting Høiby in custody ahead of the sentencing in June, but the now-King and Queen did not attend the high-profile trial that rocked the country.Ahead of the trial, Haakon made his longest statement about the charges against Høiby, noting 'we care about him and he is an important member of our family', while reiterating that his stepson is not a working royal and does not have any titles. The monarch said: 'Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by this case. It has an impact on the individuals, their families and all those who care about them. We understand that this is a difficult time for many of you, and we sympathise. 'At the same time, it is reassuring to know that we live in a state governed by the rule of law. I am confident that those responsible for overseeing the proceedings will ensure that the trial is conducted in as orderly, proper, and just a manner as possible. 'Marius Borg Høiby is not a member of the Royal House of Norway and is therefore autonomous. We care about him, and he is an important member of our family. He is a citizen of Norway and, as such, has the same responsibilities as everyone else - as well as the same rights.' Høiby also appeared as a toddler in an official photo released by the palace to mark King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit's 25th wedding anniversaryWhen Høiby was officially charged last August, his stepfather noted, 'everyone involved in this case finds it challenging and difficult' days after the pair were pictured returning from holiday together. They were seen disembarking a plane at Oslo Airport after a five-day vacation in Portugal in photos obtained by national paper Se Og Hor.They were joined by Haakon and Mette-Marit's son, Prince Sverre Magnus, who was seen carrying luggage with headphones on.After the photographs were taken, the trio drove together to Frogner, where Høiby was staying, followed by a royal police escort, the paper reported.Before the charges, Haakon and his stepson would often holiday together, and were seen surfing at the Ribeira D'Ilha in the Ericeira area of Portugal in 2016 - where they are believed to have returned for their 2025 visit.They have also been on skiing trips and have visited Sardinia and Mexico, according to Se og Hor.The two have been close since Marius was a young boy - and he was just three years old when his mother moved in with the prince in Oslo.Høiby came under scrutiny in 2024 when he was repeatedly arrested on preliminary charges including rape, bodily harm and criminal damage.In November that year, Haakon told Norwegian news outlet NRK: 'Marius is facing serious accusations, which the police and the judiciary will deal with. I am convinced they will do a good job.'As a family and as parents, we have wanted Marius to receive help and we have been working for a long time to get him to a place where he can receive more help.'It is something we give a lot of priority to. It must be done within the framework established by the legal system.'In July 2025, Oslo police announced charges against Høiby on multiple counts, including rape, sexual assault and bodily harm after a months-long investigation of a case that involved a 'double-digit' number of alleged victims.Høiby was convicted of two counts of rape following a six-week trial that laid bare allegations of violence, drug abuse and sexual misconduct.An Oslo court also found him guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, Nora Haukland, issuing threats and committing traffic offences, although he was acquitted of two other rape charges.Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad handed down the sentence after hearing evidence linked to 40 charges, including four alleged rapes, assaults, breaches of restraining orders, drug offences and driving violations. One charge relating to a restraining-order violation was overturned.The court heard how Høiby's drug addiction spiralled in recent years, while investigators presented more than 800 messages and a series of self-made videos of sexual encounters as evidence during the trial.One alleged rape took place in the basement of now-King's family home, the court was told.Høiby, who denied the most serious allegations while pleading guilty to some lesser offences, was not physically present in court for the verdict and instead joined proceedings via video link.He is currently awaiting a court decision on whether he will be allowed to appeal his conviction. In recent months, his mother, Mette-Marit, 53, has faced intense scrutiny following the release of the Epstein Files, which revealed she stayed at paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's Palm Beach residence in 2013 – after he was convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.The new queen claimed this year she had been misled by the late sex offender as she sought to contain the fallout. Høiby, who is Haakon's wife Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, is currently under house arrest at the Skaugum Estate after he was convicted of rape King Haakon also faces additional drama with the upcoming arrival of a second reality TV show by his sister, former princess Martha Louise, and her 'shaman' husband, Durek Verrett.The couple's first Netflix show, Rebel Royals: An Unlikely Love Story, took an 'intimate look' at the love story between Martha Louise and the Hollywood 'half-reptilian and bisexual' shaman.The film followed the couple as they 'navigated a swirl of controversy' and prepared for their wedding, which took place in the picturesque small town of Geiranger in 2024.In a move dubbed 'Norway's Megxit', Martha Louise relinquished her royal role in November 2022.Eyebrows were raised when the princess first began dating Verrett, who holds some controversial and pseudoscientific views, including that cancer in children can be caused by 'being unhappy'.The couple were introduced by friends in 2019 and have claimed to have known each other in a past life, specifically from ancient Egypt.Their latest reality TV venture adds to what has been - and what is continuing to be - one of the toughest periods for the Norwegian throne in modern times.