Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway

{{Short description|Member of the Norwegian royal family (born 1973)}}

{{Infobox royalty

| name = Mette-Marit

| title = Crown Princess of Norway

| image = Mette-Marit av Norge.jpg

| caption = Mette-Marit in 2013

| spouse = {{marriage|Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway| 25 August 2001}}

| issue = {{plain list|

}}

| house = Glücksburg (by marriage)

| father = Sven O. Høiby

| mother = Marit Tjessem

| birth_name = Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|08|19|df=y}}

| birth_place = Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, Norway

| death_date =

| death_place =

| burial_date =

| burial_place =

| religion = Church of Norway

| signature =

}}

Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, {{IPA|no|ˌmɛtːəˈmɑ̀ːrɪt ˈçɛ̀sːəm ˈhœ̀ʏbʏ|pron}}, on 19 August 1973) is a member of the Norwegian royal family. She is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne.

A Norwegian commoner and single mother with a disadvantaged past, she was a controversial figure at the time of her engagement to Haakon in 2000. She became Crown Princess of Norway upon her marriage in 2001. The couple have two children, Ingrid Alexandra and Sverre Magnus, who are second and third in line to the Norwegian throne respectively. Mette-Marit additionally has a son from a previous brief encounter with Morten Borg, Marius Borg Høiby.

In October 2018, she was diagnosed with a form of pulmonary fibrosis. She is being treated at Oslo University Hospital and has restricted her royal duties.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45982580|title=Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit reveals rare lung disease|publisher=BBC|date=25 October 2018|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025205233/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45982580|url-status=live}}

Background and education

Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was born in Kristiansand in the southern part of Norway, the daughter of Sven O. Høiby, who had been unemployed for some time but who had previously worked as a small-scale advertiser and journalist for a local paper in his hometown of Kristiansand, and Marit Tjessem, a former bank clerk. Her father was also a convicted felon, who had twice been convicted of violence.[https://www.minerva.no/genetikk-kongehuset-marius-borg-hoiby/marius-borg-hoiby-er-ogsa-en-arving/454604 Marius Borg Høiby er også en arving], Minerva Her parents divorced, and her father later married professional stripper Renate Barsgård.{{cite web|last=Nygaard|first=Fridtjof|title=Sven O. married today|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=269981|date=3 November 2005|access-date=22 July 2012|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202103327/http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=269981|url-status=live}} She has a sister and two older brothers, including Per Høiby. Her step-brother, Trond Berntsen, by her mother's 1994 marriage to Rolf Berntsen, died in the 2011 Norway attacks.{{cite news |title=Norway killings: Princess's brother Trond Berntsen among dead |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8659298/Norway-killings-Princesss-brother-Trond-Berntsen-among-dead.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |first=Raf |last=Sanchez |date=25 July 2011 |access-date=30 March 2021 |archive-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331044353/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8659298/Norway-killings-Princesss-brother-Trond-Berntsen-among-dead.html |url-status=live }} Mette-Marit grew up in Kristiansand, spending many weekends and holidays in the nearby valley of Setesdal and on the coast, where she learned to sail. During her youth, she was active in the local Slettheia youth club, where she was also an activity leader. As a teenager, she played volleyball, qualifying as a referee and coach.

After starting at Oddernes upper secondary school in Kristiansand, Mette-Marit spent six months at Wangaratta High School located in North East Victoria in Australia as an exchange student with the exchange organisation, Youth For Understanding. Later, she attended Kristiansand Cathedral School, where she passed her final examinations in 1994. She then spent several months working for the Norwegian-British Chamber of Commerce{{cite web|url=http://www.nbccuk.com/about|title=NBCC Website|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=13 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813092439/https://nbccuk.com/about|url-status=live}} at Norway House in Cockspur Street, London. When her assignment in London ended, Mette-Marit relocated to Norway.

By her own admission, Mette-Marit experienced a rebellious phase before she met Crown Prince Haakon Magnus.{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Again in Norway, Events Provide Test for a King's Mettle|author=Steven Erlanger|date=2011-10-15|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/europe/king-harald-of-norway-proves-mettle-with-response-to-july-22-deaths.html?hp|access-date=27 February 2017|archive-date=12 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912022352/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/world/europe/king-harald-of-norway-proves-mettle-with-response-to-july-22-deaths.html?hp|url-status=live}} As a part-time student, she took six years, longer than usual, to complete her high school education before going on to take preparatory college courses at Agder College. She then worked on and off as a waitress at the restaurant Café Engebret in Oslo.{{cite news |last=Fuglehaug |first=Wenche |date=8 September 2000 |title=Bare en samboer |url=http://tux1.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/d160797.htm |newspaper=Aftenposten |access-date=24 April 2017 |language=no |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305184816/http://tux1.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/d160797.htm |archive-date=5 March 2008}}

In the 1990s she was in a relationship with John Ognby, a man convicted of drug-related offenses.{{cite news |title=Nu afslører ekskæreste prinsessens vilde fortid |url=https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/kongelige/udenlandskekongelige/article3215334.ece |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Ekstrabladet |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720103642/https://ekstrabladet.dk/underholdning/kongelige/udenlandskekongelige/article3215334.ece |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Snakker ut om ville fester |url=https://www.nettavisen.no/snakker-ut-om-ville-fester/s/12-95-716269 |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Nettavisen |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720103346/https://www.nettavisen.no/snakker-ut-om-ville-fester/s/12-95-716269 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Forsøkte å kjøpe Mette-Marit-video |url=https://www.adressa.no/nyheter/i/dnmAdz/forsoekte-aa-kjoepe-mette-marit-video |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Adresseavisen |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720103347/https://www.adressa.no/nyheter/i/dnmAdz/forsoekte-aa-kjoepe-mette-marit-video |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Tilbød 2,5 mill. for Mette-Marit-video |url=https://www.nettavisen.no/artikkel/tilbod-2-5-mill-for-mette-marit-video/s/12-95-470473 |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Nettavisen |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720103344/https://www.nettavisen.no/artikkel/tilbod-2-5-mill-for-mette-marit-video/s/12-95-470473 |url-status=live }} The relationship with Ognby got serious to the degree that they had bought her wedding dress for their planned wedding. A TV2 documentary titled Mette-Marit – vår tids Askepott focused on Mette-Marit's past. In 1997 she had a son with Morten Borg, who was also a convicted felon and one of Ognby's close friends.{{cite news |title=Ingen skandaler i Mette-Marit-dokumentar |url=https://www.fvn.no/nyheter/lokalt/i/gBwGk/ingen-skandaler-i-mette-marit-dokumentar |access-date=20 July 2023 |work=Fædrelandsvennen |archive-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720103900/https://www.fvn.no/nyheter/lokalt/i/gBwGk/ingen-skandaler-i-mette-marit-dokumentar |url-status=live }}

In the late 1990s, Mette-Marit attended the Quart Festival, Norway's largest music festival, in her hometown of Kristiansand. She met Crown Prince Haakon at a garden party during the Quart Festival season.{{cite news |url=http://www.fvn.no/lokalt/kristiansand/Ingen-skandaler-i-Mette-Marit-dokumentar-1878642.html |title=Ingen skandaler i Mette-Marit-dokumentar |work=fvn.no |first=Monika B. |last=Birkeland |date=22 August 2006 |access-date=11 December 2011 |language=no |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093802/http://www.fvn.no/lokalt/kristiansand/Ingen-skandaler-i-Mette-Marit-dokumentar-1878642.html |url-status=dead }} Years later, after becoming a single mother, she met the prince again at another party related to the festival.

Since marrying Haakon, Mette-Marit has taken several university-level courses. In 2012, she obtained a master's degree in executive management.{{cite web |url=http://www.newsinenglish.no/2012/08/02/mette-marit-gets-her-masters |title=Mette-Marit gets her master's : Views and News from Norway |publisher=Newsinenglish.no |date=2012-08-02 |access-date=2012-11-25 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029014111/http://www.newsinenglish.no/2012/08/02/mette-marit-gets-her-masters/ |url-status=live }} Most of her ancestors were cotters and small farmers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/mette-marit-har-adelige-aner-1.331378 |title=Mette-Marit har adelige aner - NRK Sørlandet - Lokale nyheter, TV og radio |website=Nrk.no |date=2000-12-08 |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=19 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919040830/https://www.nrk.no/sorlandet/mette-marit-har-adelige-aner-1.331378 |url-status=live }}

Marriage and children

{{See also|Wedding of Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, and Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby}}

When the engagement between Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit was announced, public and media reaction was negative, with many Norwegians being "horrified"{{Cite web|url=https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/royals-mette-marit-norway-princess-scandalous-past/f9d2e37f-8710-4a73-b240-96114e7b479e|title=The scandalous past of Princess Mette-Marit|website=honey.nine.com.au|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=17 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191117003723/https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/royals-mette-marit-norway-princess-scandalous-past/f9d2e37f-8710-4a73-b240-96114e7b479e|url-status=live}} and feeling that the Crown Prince's choice of partner was questionable; her lack of education, previous relationships with convicted felons and her socialization in a milieu "where drugs were readily available" were often cited by critics.{{cite news |first=Walter|last=Gibbs|title=Uncommon Royal Couple Exchange Vows in Norway |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/26/world/uncommon-royal-couple-exchange-vows-in-norway.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 August 2001|access-date=15 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Norway future queen admits wild past |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1504492.stm |newspaper=BBC News |publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=22 August 2001|access-date=15 February 2024}}

The couple married on 25 August 2001 at the Oslo Cathedral. Upon her marriage, she acquired the title, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Norway.{{cite web |url=http://www.kongehuset.no/dt_kongehuset_newsstyle.asp?ogid=110&mgid=5&gid=16&aid=803 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603041957/http://www.kongehuset.no/dt_kongehuset_newsstyle.asp?ogid=110&mgid=5&gid=16&aid=803 |archive-date=2006-06-03 |title=Press release |access-date=2010-01-04 }} The couple have two children together: Princess Ingrid Alexandra, born 21 January 2004 at The National Hospital in Oslo and Prince Sverre Magnus, born 3 December 2005 at The National Hospital in Oslo.{{cite web |title=H. K. H. Kronprinsessen |url=https://www.kongehuset.no/seksjon.html?tid=27661&sek=27227 |website=Konghuset.no |access-date=March 7, 2023 |language=norwegian |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307194227/https://www.kongehuset.no/seksjon.html?tid=27661&sek=27227 |url-status=live }}

At the time of their engagement, Mette-Marit was a single mother to a son named Marius Borg Høiby, born 13 January 1997 at Aker Hospital in Oslo,{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xmZoDwAAQBAJ&dq=mette-marit+born+in++Kristiansand+hospital&pg=PA233 | title=Great Survivors | isbn=9780714545400 | last1=Conradi | first1=Peter | date=January 2018 | publisher=Alma Books | access-date=7 December 2022 | archive-date=20 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820142932/https://books.google.com/books?id=xmZoDwAAQBAJ&dq=mette-marit+born+in++Kristiansand+hospital&pg=PA233 | url-status=live }} from her brief encounter with convicted felon[https://www.bt.dk/nyheder/marius-far-var-ikke-med Marius' far var ikke med] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820142940/https://www.bt.dk/nyheder/marius-far-var-ikke-med |date=20 August 2023 }}, BT Morten Borg. Høiby and Borg were never cohabitants or in a formal relationship. Mette-Marit has said of Marius: "Marius became a symbol of the unusual choice we made when we got married (...) he will not have a public role and is not a public figure."{{cite web|access-date=2023-07-20|archivedate=2023-03-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328121859/https://www.kongehuset.no/nyhet.html?tid=139967&sek=26939|title=Marius 20 år|url=https://www.kongehuset.no/nyhet.html?tid=139967&sek=26939}} In 2017 he moved to the United States to attend an unspecified college.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/royals/norways-marius-borg-hoiby-quits-public-life-as-he-prepares-for-college-in-the-u-s-says-palace/|title=Norway's Marius Borg Høiby Quits Public Life as He Prepares for College in the U.S., Says Palace|magazine=People|first=Caris|last=Davis|date=13 January 2017|access-date=11 May 2020|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323153715/https://people.com/royals/norways-marius-borg-hoiby-quits-public-life-as-he-prepares-for-college-in-the-u-s-says-palace/|url-status=live}} In 2018 media reported that he had falsely portrayed himself as "prince", although he has never held any title and is a commoner, not a royal.{{cite news|title=Fjernet prinsetittel etter Se og Hør-avsløring|url=https://www.seher.no/kongelig/fjernet-prinsetittel-etter-se-og-hor-avsloring/69736352|date=2023-07-20|access-date=20 July 2023|archive-date=20 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720110018/https://www.seher.no/kongelig/fjernet-prinsetittel-etter-se-og-hor-avsloring/69736352|url-status=live}} He was arrested in August 2024 after assaulting a woman at her apartment.{{cite news|url=https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/zAOpzq/marius-borg-hoeiby-siktet-for-kroppskrenkelse-etter-melding-om-vold-i-leilighet-paa-frogner|title=Marius Borg Høiby siktet etter voldshendelse|work=Aftenposten|first=Julie|last=Grasmo|first2=Ingrid|last2=Borvik|first3=Mia|last3=Størksen|first4=Nina|last4=Selbo Torset|date=6 August 2024|access-date=7 August 2024}} Mette-Marit has been accused of warning her son about his impending arrest and of evidence tampering and witness tampering.{{cite news |title=Mette-Marit advarte og ryddet før pågripelsen: - Sjokkerende |url=https://www.seher.no/kongelig/mette-marit-advarte-og-ryddet-for-pagripelsen-sjokkerende/82160926 |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=Seher}}{{cite news |title=Opplysninger til VG: Kronprinsessen skal ha varslet sønnen om pågripelsen |url=https://www.vg.no/rampelys/i/gw4nv9/marius-borg-hoeiby-27-varslet-om-paagripelse |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=VG}}

Public life and further education

File:Royal Wedding Stockholm 2010-Konserthuset-389.jpg

During 2002 and 2003, the Crown Princess attended lectures in development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, apparently without graduating. She was also accepted as an intern at NORAD, the Norwegian government's development organization. The appointment received criticism due to her lack of relevant qualifications.{{cite news |title=Et forbilde? |url=https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/et-forbilde/63437467 |access-date=10 August 2021 |work=Dagbladet |archive-date=19 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619163227/https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/et-forbilde/63437467 |url-status=live }}

Crown Princess Mette-Marit is a patron of the Norwegian Red Cross and several other organizations.{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28772&sek=28635|title=Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit|publisher=Norwegian Royal House Official Website|access-date=2020-08-17|archive-date=16 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516042610/http://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28772&sek=28635|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28795&sek=28621|title=Organisations under the patronage of The Crown Princess|publisher=Norwegian Royal House Official Website|access-date=2020-08-17|archive-date=16 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616132310/https://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28795&sek=28621|url-status=live}} In 2010, Crown Princess Mette-Marit was named Young Global Leader under the World Economic Forum, and in 2012 she became a member of the international Foundation Board of the Global Shapers Community.

In 2015, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Kate Roberts, senior vice-president of Population Services International, established Maverick Collective. On 26 April 2017, the Crown Princess was appointed as ambassador for Norwegian literature in the international arena.

Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit established The Crown Prince and Crown Princess's Foundation. The purpose of the foundation is to identify and support projects for young people in Norway with the objective of strengthening youth leadership and integration.{{cite web|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28766&sek=28640|title=His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon|publisher=Norwegian Royal House Official Website|access-date=2020-08-17|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824182321/https://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=28766&sek=28640|url-status=live}}

In October 2018, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which will limit her official programmes.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/princess-mette-marit-of-norway-reveals-shes-been-diagnosed-with-life-limiting-lung-disease|title=Princess Mette-Marit of Norway reveals she's been diagnosed with chronic lung disease|publisher=Fox News|first=Morgan M.|last=Evans|date=25 October 2018|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025142455/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/princess-mette-marit-of-norway-reveals-shes-been-diagnosed-with-life-limiting-lung-disease|url-status=live}} Mette-Marit, who has dealt with "health challenges on a regular basis" (such as pneumonia, several instances of norovirus, low blood pressure, along with some falls, concussions, a neck injury and a herniated disc{{Cite web|url=https://norwegianne.net/2013/11/16/crown-princess-mette-marits-history-of-ailments/|title=Crown Princess Mette-Marit's history of ailments|date=16 November 2013|website=Norwegianne.net|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919080546/https://norwegianne.net/2013/11/16/crown-princess-mette-marits-history-of-ailments/|url-status=live}}), will undergo treatment at Oslo University Hospital.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45982580|title=Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit reveals rare lung disease|publisher=BBC|date=25 October 2018|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025205233/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45982580|url-status=live}}

= UNAIDS =

Crown Princess Mette-Marit became a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador in 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/aboutunaids/unaidsambassadors/mette-marit|title=Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador|publisher=UNAIDS|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904033000/https://www.unaids.org/en/aboutunaids/unaidsambassadors/mette-marit|archive-date=4 September 2022|url-status=live}} Her focus as goodwill ambassador is on the empowerment of youth in the AIDS response. The Crown Princess participated in several international AIDS conferences and visited several countries to raise awareness of the work and mission of UNAIDS. She's assisting UNAIDS in its activities around youth program and leadership. In later years, her work with UNAIDS expanded to highlighting the role of young women and adolescent girls in the AIDS response.{{cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/keywords/her-royal-highness-crown-princess-mette-marit-norway-unaids-goodwill-ambassador-gwa|title=Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette Marit Norway UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador GWA advocacy|publisher=UNAIDS|date=16 May 2016|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904035240/https://www.unaids.org/en/keywords/her-royal-highness-crown-princess-mette-marit-norway-unaids-goodwill-ambassador-gwa|archive-date=4 September 2022|url-status=live}}

During 2014 United Nations General Assembly, she emphasized how stigma and discrimination are undermining advances in the AIDS response.{{cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2014/june/20140613hrhga|title=UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit calls for a strong focus on AIDS and health in post-2015|publisher=UNAIDS|date=3 June 2014|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904041924/https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2014/june/20140613hrhga|archive-date=4 September 2022|url-status=live}} The Crown Princess highlighted the opportunities offered by social media to empower young people in new areas of advocacy at the youth summit during her visit to Mali.{{cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2011/april/20110419bhrhmali|title=UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway calls to action during the Mali Youth Summit on HIV|publisher=UNAIDS|date=19 April 2011|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904042837/https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2011/april/20110419bhrhmali|archive-date=4 September 2022|url-status=live}} During a visit to Tanzania in April 2016, Crown Princess Mette-Marit said "It is moving to meet mothers who are in good health and caring for children born free from HIV thanks to antiretroviral medicines." She also remarked that it's rewarding to see young skilled people in leadership roles of AIDS response and guiding the country towards an AIDS-free generation. She also opened the Youth Pavilion at the XVIII International AIDS Conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2010/july/20100719viennayouthpavilion|title=HRH Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway joins young people to open Youth Pavilion at AIDS 2010|publisher=UNAIDS|date=19 July 2010|access-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904044216/https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/featurestories/2010/july/20100719viennayouthpavilion|archive-date=4 September 2022|url-status=live}}

=Controversies=

In 2012, she attracted controversy for assisting a Norwegian couple with ties to the royal family in procuring surrogacy services in India, despite the fact that surrogacy is banned in Norway; she was criticized by women's rights groups for participating in human trafficking that exploits women in developing countries.[http://kvinnegruppa-ottar.squarespace.com/kronikker-og-innlegg-2/2013/6/27/menneskehandel-med-diplomatpass Menneskehandel med diplomatpass] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820142931/http://kvinnegruppa-ottar.squarespace.com/kronikker-og-innlegg-2/2013/6/27/menneskehandel-med-diplomatpass |date=20 August 2023 }}, Klassekampen, 10 December 2012 The next year, the practice was also banned in India as a form of human trafficking and harmful to women and children.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9811222/India-bans-gay-foreign-couples-from-surrogacy.html|title=India bans gay foreign couples from surrogacy|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=2013-01-18|access-date=2019-03-27|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327195336/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/9811222/India-bans-gay-foreign-couples-from-surrogacy.html|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}{{Cite journal|last=Timms|first=Olinda|date=5 March 2018|editor-last=Ghoshal|editor-first=Rakhi|title=Ending commercial surrogacy in India: significance of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016|journal=Indian Journal of Medical Ethics|volume=3|issue=2|pages=99–102|doi=10.20529/IJME.2018.019|pmid=29550749}}

In 2019, she attracted controversy for her friendship with the American convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein; she met him several times between 2011 and 2013, after his conviction on charges of sex trafficking of minors in 2008 and release from prison. Crown Prince Haakon also met Epstein during one of these occasions while the couple were on a holiday in Saint Barthélemy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dn.no/politikk/jeffrey-epstein/kongehuset/norge/kronprinsesse-mette-marit-motte-sexforbryteren-jeffrey-epstein-flere-ganger-jeg-burde-undersokt-jeffrey-epsteins-fortid-narmere-og-beklager-at-jeg-ikke-gjorde-det/2-1-715469/|title=Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit møtte sexforbryteren Jeffrey Epstein flere ganger: – Jeg burde undersøkt Jeffrey Epsteins fortid nærmere, og beklager at jeg ikke gjorde det|date=2 December 2019|website=Dagens Næringsliv|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416135914/https://www.dn.no/politikk/jeffrey-epstein/kongehuset/norge/kronprinsesse-mette-marit-motte-sexforbryteren-jeffrey-epstein-flere-ganger-jeg-burde-undersokt-jeffrey-epsteins-fortid-narmere-og-beklager-at-jeg-ikke-gjorde-det/2-1-715469|url-status=live}}[https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/deres-kongelige-lukkethet/71902923 Deres kongelige lukkethet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211131835/https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/deres-kongelige-lukkethet/71902923 |date=11 December 2019 }}, Dagbladet[https://www.dagsavisen.no/debatt/kommentar/skurrende-slottssignaler-1.1627570 Skurrende slottssignaler] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230082411/https://www.dagsavisen.no/debatt/kommentar/skurrende-slottssignaler-1.1627570 |date=30 December 2019 }}, Dagsavisen Her friendship with Epstein was revealed by Norwegian media in the context of the scandal involving Prince Andrew, Duke of York, who in that year resigned from all public roles over his longstanding ties to Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse. In a statement, Mette-Marit spoke of her regret in failing to investigate Epstein's past. The Royal Palace's communications manager Guri Varpe stated that she ceased contact with Epstein as he was attempting to use his connection to her to "influence other people."{{Cite web|url=https://www.dagbladet.no/a/71892506|title=Dette sier utlandet om skandalen|first=Marcus|last=Brenden|date=4 December 2019|website=Dagbladet.no|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925083047/https://www.dagbladet.no/kjendis/dette-sier-utlandet-om-skandalen/71892506|url-status=live}}

Titles, styles and honours

=Titles=

19 August 1973 – 25 August 2001: Miss Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby{{cite web|title=Crown Princess Mette-Marit|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Crown-Princess-Mette-Marit|website=Britannica|access-date=May 15, 2023|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111200256/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Crown-Princess-Mette-Marit|url-status=live}}
25 August 2001 – present: Her Royal Highness The Crown Princess of Norway{{cite web|title=Official Website of the Norwegian Royal Court - Crown Princess Mette-Marit|url=https://www.royalcourt.no/seksjon.html?tid=28771&sek=28431|website=Royal Court of Norway|access-date=May 15, 2023|archive-date=30 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630072620/https://www.royalcourt.no/seksjon.html?tid=28771&sek=28431|url-status=live}}

=Arms=

File:Coat of Arms of Princes and of Princesses of Norway.svg|Coat of arms

File:Royal Monogram of Princess Metta-Merit of Norway.svg|Monogram

=Honours and medals=

{{see also|List of honours of the Norwegian royal family by country}}

==National honours and medals==

{{flag|Norway}}: Grand Cross with Collar of the Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav{{cite web |url=http://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=34904&sek=34891&scope=27248 |title=The Decorations of HRH The Crown Princess - The Royal House of Norway |website=Royalcourt.no |date=2016-12-20 |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108190535/http://www.royalcourt.no/artikkel.html?tid=34904&sek=34891&scope=27248 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Norway}}: Dame of the Royal Family Decoration of King Harald V
{{flag|Norway}}: Recipient of the Medal of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of King Olav V
{{flag|Norway}}: Recipient of the Royal House Centenary Medal
{{flag|Norway}}: Recipient of the King Harald V Silver Jubilee Medal{{cite web |url=http://www.kongehuset.no/binfil/download2.php?tid=133159 |title=Tildeling av Kong Harald Vs jubileumsmedalje 1991-2016 |website=Kongehuset.no |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=25 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125143313/http://www.kongehuset.no/binfil/download2.php?tid=133159 |url-status=live }}

==Foreign honours==

{{flag|Austria}}: Grand Cross, 1st Class of the Order of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria{{cite web |url=http://typischich.at/home/leute/starnews/746708/Royals-Charity_Prinzessin-MetteMarit?gal=746708&index=5&direct=&_vl_backlink=&popup=#frame |title=Prinzessin Mette-Marit « wienerin.at |website=Typischich.at |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112041935/http://typischich.at/home/leute/starnews/746708/Royals-Charity_Prinzessin-MetteMarit?gal=746708&index=5&direct=&_vl_backlink=&popup=#frame |archive-date=12 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web | url = http://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | title = Reply to a parliamentary question about the Decoration of Honour | language = de | page = 1811 | access-date = 1 November 2012 | archive-date = 1 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200501061109/https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXIV/AB/AB_10542/imfname_251156.pdf | url-status = live }}
{{flag|Brazil}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross{{cite web |url=http://www.jusbrasil.com.br/diarios/708191/dou-secao-1-06-09-2007-pg-7 |title=DOU 06/09/2007 - Pág. 7 - Seção 1 - Diário Oficial da União |language=pt |publisher=Jusbrasil.com.br |access-date=2012-11-25 |archive-date=22 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222124317/http://www.jusbrasil.com.br/diarios/708191/dou-secao-1-06-09-2007-pg-7 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Bulgaria}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Balkan Mountains{{cite web|url=http://www.vg.no/bildespesial/spesial.php?id=3458 |title=VG Foto |website=Vg.no |date=2006-08-29 |access-date=2017-02-28}}
{{flag|Denmark}}: Knight of the Order of the Elephant{{cite web|url=http://kongehuset.dk/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer|title=Modtagere af danske dekorationer|website=kongehuset.dk|access-date=2019-01-29|language=da|archive-date=12 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512015518/http://kongehuset.dk/modtagere-af-danske-dekorationer|url-status=live}}
{{flag|Estonia}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana[http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=368 Estonian State Decorations, Kroonprintsess Mette Marit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213549/http://www.president.ee/en/estonia/decorations/bearers.php?id=368 |date=4 October 2013 }} - website of the President of Estonia (Estonian)
{{flag|Estonia}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Star
{{Flag|Finland}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
{{flag|Germany}}: Grand Cross, 1st Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
{{flag|Iceland}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon
{{flag|Italy}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic{{cite web |url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=144214 |title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana |website=Quirinale.it |date=2004-09-20 |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928084031/http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=144214 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Japan}}: Paulownia Dame Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown
{{flag|Latvia}}: Grand Cross of the Order of the Cross of Recognition
{{flag|Lithuania}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great{{cite web|url=http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html |title=Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentė |publisher=Lrp.lt |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419212238/http://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento_veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanojimai_256/p40.html |archive-date=19 April 2014 }}
{{flag|Luxembourg}}: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Adolphe of Nassau
{{flag|Netherlands}}: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau
{{flag|Netherlands}}: Recipient of the King Willem-Alexander Inauguration Medal
{{flag|Poland}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
{{flag|Portugal}}: Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry{{cite web |url=http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154 |title=CIDADÃOS ESTRANGEIROS AGRACIADOS COM ORDENS PORTUGUESAS - Página Oficial das Ordens Honoríficas Portuguesas |website=Ordens.presidencia.pt |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208164102/http://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=154 |url-status=live }}
{{flag|Spain}}: Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the CatholicRoyal Decree 655/2006, [http://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2006/05/27/pdfs/A20011-20011.pdf BOE no. 126, 27 May 2006, p. 20011] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070613/https://boe.es/boe/dias/2006/05/27/pdfs/A20011-20011.pdf |date=5 March 2016 }}
{{flag|Sweden}}: Member Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Polar Star