Queen’s son skips Princess Astrid’s funeral

Norway’s Princess Astrid was laid to rest in a funeral procession, led by King Haakon and Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid, and Queen Sonja.

While King Harald's funeral was attended by all members of the Norwegian royal family and dozens of foreign dignitaries, there were several absences this time around. Both Prince Sverre, who is studying at Forward College in Lisbon, and Princess Märtha Louise, who is no longer a member of the Royal Family but retains her title, were absent.

Another notable absentee was Marius Borg Hoiby, the son of Queen Mette-Marit of Norway, who is currently under electronic monitoring at Skaugum Palace, where his mother and King Haakon reside.

Unlike what happened at Harald's funeral, Marius has not requested permission from the prosecutor's office to attend this ceremony.

The stepson of Haakon was found guilty of rape and domestic violence and sentenced to four years in prison after a seven-week trial that has further dented the royal family's once picture-perfect image.

Oslo ‌District Court ruled that 29-year-old Marius Borg Hoiby, who joined the royal family when his mother Mette-Marit married Haakon in 2001, was guilty of two counts of rape including one in the basement of the crown prince's home.