Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's son - who faces assault charges - 'threatened to burn a woman's belongings' and a 'knife was seized where violent episode took place', sources tell local media

The stepson of the future King of Norway was arrested last weekend on suspicion of assaulting a woman - and now more details have allegedly come to light.

Marius Borg Høiby, 27, the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, 'allegedly threatened to set fire to and burn the girl's clothes and belongings' whilst on the phone, reported Se og Hør.

The Norwegian magazine claimed two sources said Marius 'must have made several threats against the woman' - and alleged that the police have 'among other things, seized a knife, which can be linked to Marius'.

'It was planted in the wall of the apartment in question. The apartment where the violent episode took place is said to have been partially razed,' the report, when translated from Norwegian to English, claimed. 

Marius, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, is under suspicion for causing bodily harm and criminal damage, Oslo police said Wednesday.

Marius Borg Høiby (pictured), 27, the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, 'allegedly threatened to set fire to and burn the girl's clothes and belongings' whilst on the phone, reported Se og Hør

The Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) reported on Friday that 'police allegedly seized a knife' but said it was 'not aware of who owned this knife', in a translation of its report to English.

'According to NRK's ​​source, who has knowledge of the case, the knife was not used against the offended woman, but was placed in the wall,' the state-controlled radio and television broadcasting company explained in its report.

A recording has been made of at least one telephone conversation in which Marius Borg Høiby (27) is said to have behaved aggressively towards the woman he is accused of assaulting, according to TV 2's sources. 

Meanwhile, Bergen-based TV 2 alleged 'a recording has been made of at least one telephone conversation in which Marius is said to have behaved aggressively towards the woman he is accused of assaulting', according to its sources.

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 thought to be hired by Marius, has also been contacted by FEMAIL.

Mette Yvonne Larsen, the assistance lawyer for the unnamed 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.

The latest alleged details come after Crown Princess Mette-Marit was pictured for the first time since her son was arrested.

The Norwegian magazine claimed two sources said Marius 'must have made several threats against the woman' - and alleged that the police have 'among other things, seized a knife, which can be linked to Marius'. Pictured, Marius with other members of the Norwegian royal family, including the King, Queen, and heir to the throne

Marius Borg Høiby (pictured with Prince Haakon of Norway), 27, the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, is under suspicion for causing bodily harm and criminal damage, Oslo police said Wednesday

Mette-Marit and her husband Haakon 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.

The royal couple also posed together in sweet photographs shared to the Norwegian Royal Family's Instagram page this weekend as they celebrated the Olympics.

Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, was arrested last weekend on suspicion of assaulting a woman, police said on Wednesday.

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

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.'

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

Mette-Marit and her husband Haakon refused to let the royal shock deter them from their plans this weekend - with the royal couple photographed enjoying the Olympics on Saturday

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'.

Høiby faces preliminary charges of bodily harm and criminal damage, one stage short of formal charges.

Police said they had 'no information that the victim suffered serious injuries'. The apartment where the incident took place appeared to have been destroyed, according to Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet.

While Høiby was raised by Mette-Marit and Haakon together with his step-siblings, 20-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra and 18-year-old Prince Sverre Magnus, unlike them he has no official public role.

The case was top news in Norway where the royals are popular.

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

The Norwegian Palace confirmed to local media that the Crown Princess has decided to 'temporarily postpone' her trip.

'The Crown Princess has temporarily postponed her departure and hopes to travel down later', the Palace's communications chief wrote in a text message to Se og Hør.

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

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.'

Øyvind Bratlien, who has expertise in high-profile criminal cases, has been hired by Marius Borg Høiby as his defence lawyer. 

In a statement to Se og Hør, Bratlien said: 'The charge concerns assault, which under the law is the least severe form of violence. 

'Neither my client nor I have been informed of the full details of the case, and he has not yet given a statement, on my advice.'

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.

Marius previously dated London-based former Playboy model Juliane Snekkstad in 2019 

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway's son Marius Borg Høiby was arrested after a serious incident last Sunday night

Growing up, 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.'

Marius was previously linked to heiress Linn Helena Nilsen, but the couple split in July 2017.

Femail has contacted Norwegian Royal Palace for comment.