The trust in the crown prince family is crumbling away. If the family at Skaugum is to have any hope of ascending the throne with broad support from the public, it requires a turnaround. It will demand more communication and more openness from the crown prince couple.
But this autumn has turned the entire situation for the royal family upside down.
Eva Stenbro
Eva Stenbro is the group union representative at Amedia and a member of the Assange Committee in Norwegian PEN. She has been a journalist for 30 years and was responsible for health coverage at Romerikes Blad for six years. Stenbro is educated in media studies at NTNU and is concerned about issues such as freedom of expression, journalism, and privacy.
With a stepson who is on his way to accumulating a significant criminal record and a sister who has married a reptile, the trust in the royal family in general and the crown prince family in particular has plummeted.
For the crown prince family to occupy the castle in a few years, they depend on having overwhelming trust from the country’s population.
We have a publicly funded monarchy, and although Norwegians are fundamentally generous people, it remains to be seen how long the public will put up with paying for “Skaugum festivals” and American reptiles (Skaugum festivals is the name Marius’s friends reportedly called the parties at Skaugum).
Earlier this autumn, there was hope that Marius himself would clean up. Through his lawyer, he sent a letter to NRK admitting to committing bodily harm, and he promised to seek help for substance use. But in the weeks and months that have passed since then, it is evident that Marius is not going to address his problems himself. One issue has turned into multiple.
What started with a report of violence in August has now evolved into a long list involving substance abuse, abuse of three former girlfriends, driving without a valid license, and now sexual relations with someone unable to resist, i.e., rape.
And we who have financed all the fun must face the truth: Right before our eyes, little Marius grew up and became a hardened criminal.
Whether Marius will be convicted of all the offenses he is charged with remains to be seen, but the sum of all the cases and their seriousness is too severe to be overlooked. This isn’t exactly about a couple of sunglasses at Gardermoen.
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Shoulders the entire responsibility
And amidst all this came the wedding march in Geiranger, which appeared more like an absurd theater than a royal wedding. Indeed, members of the royal family should be free to marry whoever they want – that would be just as it should – but the choice of spouse also reflects judgment.
When one marries a shaman with an alleged past as a reptile, it challenges in a way the sober and down-to-earth spirit of the people. And our view of the royal family.
Through marriage to Märtha Louise, Durek Verrett is the husband of one of the heirs to the Norwegian throne, and although the line of succession to Märtha and Durek is long, history is full of examples where the line of succession has been broken.
So there is hardly a great chance that we will get to that point, and Norwegians would live just fine with a shaman on the sidelines if the rest of the royal family had our full and complete trust. But the handling of the Marius case has led people to question which interests the crown prince family is most concerned with protecting.
It is entirely understandable that parents protect their children and wish them well. It is also entirely understandable that one wishes to shield the rest of the family from negative publicity. After all, there are two other youths in this family who have done nothing wrong and who do not deserve to be affected by the events that have unfolded this autumn.
But the crown prince couple must be aware of their responsibility, for they now have the entire and full responsibility of rebuilding trust in the monarchy.
Sonja and Harald have secured their position through a long and dedicated life, but in order for the next generation to be able to ascend, we need more than “no comment” from the crown prince and crown princess.
It is clear that neither of them can comment on the police investigation, as it must proceed without the crown prince couple’s interference. But we need action. The contract between a monarchy and a modern democracy is fragile and is based on trust and mutual benefit. The moment one party no longer sees itself benefitting from the arrangement, it will cease to exist.
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The alternative is a republic
The crown prince couple must, in other words, go out and tell us how they are handling this situation. They are not expected to give home-report features or tear-jerking interviews with the crown prince couple themselves, but they must place this issue at the top of their agenda.
What is it like to be the parents of a youth who has messed things up for themselves?
There are indeed many other parents in the same situation who would benefit from someone leading the way. The crown prince couple has a unique opportunity to contribute to more openness about something that is still stigmatized in our society, namely having children with substance issues and histories of violence.
They can also help shine a light on substance care and initiatives for youth who fall by the wayside. Unfortunately, there are many families in Norway that have a Marius. A youth who has not managed to find their place in this life.
Openness about these issues can help strengthen both these parents and the crown prince couple themselves. After all, their fundamental mission is to help make the world around them a little better.
This autumn has clearly shown us that Marius himself is not able to clean up, and it will then be up to the crown prince couple to demonstrate that they are taking responsibility for the family’s future.
Because the alternative is not that Norway moves into the future with a monarchy that lacks the trust of the people. The alternative is a republic.
What are the main challenges facing the Norwegian royal family in maintaining public trust?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Eva Stenbro, Expert in Media Studies and Royal Affairs
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Eva Stenbro, and thank you for joining us today. With your extensive background in journalism and media studies, you certainly have a unique perspective on the current state of the Norwegian royal family, particularly the crown prince couple.
Eva Stenbro: Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue, and I’m glad to discuss it.
Editor: The situation surrounding the crown prince family has taken quite a turn this autumn. What do you think has caused the erosion of public trust in them?
Stenbro: Several factors contribute to the decline of trust. Primarily, we’ve seen troubling developments involving Marius, the crown prince couple’s stepson. His legal troubles, including accusations of violence and substance abuse, reflect poorly on the family and challenge the foundational relationship between monarchy and the public. The public funds this monarchy, and they expect accountability in return.
Editor: You mentioned the expectation for accountability. How can the crown prince couple work towards rebuilding that trust?
Stenbro: For the crown prince couple, transparency and open dialogue are crucial. They need to address concerns head-on and communicate openly about the challenges they face, rather than relying on distant, no-comment strategies. This requires engagement with the public and an acknowledgment of the issues at hand.
Editor: There also seems to be a significant cultural aspect at play, especially with the recent wedding of Märtha Louise to Durek Verrett. How does this affect public perception?
Stenbro: Absolutely, the marriage to someone like Durek, who is associated with unconventional beliefs, could challenge traditional perceptions of the royal family. While everyone should have the freedom to choose their partners, the royal family’s judgment is under scrutiny. When public confidence is already shaky, such choices can amplify doubts about the monarchy’s values and priorities.
Editor: Given that the crown prince couple has two other children who are not involved in these controversies, how can they navigate this family dynamic while protecting their image?
Stenbro: Their primary challenge will be balancing family loyalty with public accountability. It’s understandable that they want to shield their children from negative publicity, but the crown prince couple must also recognize the broader implications for the institution they represent. They have a responsibility not just to their immediate family but to the entire nation, and that requires making difficult decisions that prioritize public trust.
Editor: You’ve emphasized the delicate balance between the monarchy and modern democracy. Why is that relationship so fragile?
Stenbro: The monarchy thrives on trust and mutual benefit, like any social contract. When one side feels that they are no longer benefitting—whether it’s through scandal, disinterest, or lack of engagement—the foundations start to crack. If the Norwegian people feel the monarchy no longer represents their values or supports their well-being, this could lead to serious consequences for the institution’s continuity.
Editor: It sounds like the crown prince couple’s actions moving forward will be pivotal. If they do not step up their game, what do you predict for the future of the royal family in Norway?
Stenbro: If they fail to address the issues and build trust, we could see a significant shift in public support. The monarchy’s relevance is not guaranteed; it must be earned and nurtured. The coming months will be critical for the crown prince and crown princess. They need to step into their roles more proactively if they wish to maintain their position and support from the Norwegian people.
Editor: Thank you for sharing such insightful perspectives, Eva. Your expertise is invaluable in understanding the complexities of this situation.
Stenbro: Thank you for having me. It’s a significant moment for Norway’s royal family, and I hope for a positive resolution that strengthens the bond between the monarchy and the Norwegian people.