Støre about the noise surrounding the royal family: – I can imagine that it is a big burden

– I will not comment on the details of what we have now followed over the last few days, but it is a family with some very clear challenges, which also applies to a good number of other families in Norway. This family, unlike them, has to endure full floodlights on it. I can imagine that is a big burden, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) to NTB.

In recent days, there has been a storm around the royal house, after Marius Borg Høiby was charged with violence against a woman. Also earlier this summer, Princess Märtha Louise’s role and her wedding gin caused debate.

Støre believes that support for the royal family and the monarchy is strong in Norway. And he praises the work they do.

– This is a moment where we stop and get to know that this is a family. And in families there are also challenges and problems, also in this family, he says.

Solberg: – Leit

Conservative Party leader Erna Solberg also thinks the case is boring.

– First of all, it is sad for the victim in the case itself. And then it is sad for the royal family that it happens. It is actually also the case that when people have drug and mental problems, as it appears Marius has, then perhaps they deserved to be allowed to take their difficult cases without full media coverage. So I have a lot of sympathy for the fact that this is difficult for them, she says.

Høiby himself has apologized for the incident in a statement.

– Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument, wrote Høiby.

He said that he has struggled with drug and psychological problems for longer periods, but stressed that this is not an excuse.

– Demanding situation

The right-wing leader does not think the case is harmful to the monarchy.

– The king, queen, crown prince and crown princess are making such a fabulous effort. I simply believe that many families who experience difficult issues in their own family, for example psychological challenges or young people who have substance abuse problems, that they get a certain recognition and perhaps have a little compassion, she says.

Neither in SV does party leader Kirsti Bergstø believe that the cases are suitable to weaken the royal family’s status. She calls the situation demanding for the royal house.

– Many people in Norway are happy with our royal family and I think that little touches that. This also applies to those in parties who believe that positions are something you are elected to and should not be inherited, says Bergstø.

Left: The royal house must clean up

Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum also praises the efforts made by the royal family for Norway.

– There are a lot of difficult things happening around the royal family now. But they stand very safely and very well. And that is good for Norway, he says.

Liberal leader Guri Melby, on the other hand, sees the recent weeks’ events surrounding the royal family in a more principled light.

– There is no doubt that there are some challenges that the royal house has to clear up. What concerns the way in which Märtha Louise will use the title of princess is part of it. It is also about the royal house’s way of handling what may be perceived as internal family problems, but which turn out to be problems that are also in the public eye, says Melby.

– Very tragic

The Liberals are part of a minority in the Storting that wants to abolish the monarchy. At the same time, the party is clear that they believe today’s royal family represents Norway in a good way.

– We will follow the way the royal family handles Norway, says Melby.

– This is quite the wrong background to discuss the monarchy on. For me, it is about questions of principle and not what looks like a crisis, perhaps primarily for the person who is the victim in this case, says Rødt leader Marie Sneve Martinussen to NTB.

MDG leader Arild Hermstad says that he does not think it would be right to raise a debate about the monarchy in Norway against the background of the ongoing cases.

– This shows that people in royal circles also struggle with many of the same things that ordinary people do. In a way, it is good to note that this is the case, but at the same time it is very tragic, says Hermstad.

Means a lot

KrF deputy leader Dag-Inge Ulstein says that he appreciates the work the royal family does and that it means a lot to him.

– All families have their challenges. And I mean we shouldn’t stand here and dig into it. I understand that it is a very difficult situation, he says.

The leader of the Progress Party, Sylvi Listhaug, describes the issues surrounding the royal house as difficult.

– I think the royal family does a very important job. And I hope they manage to get on, says Listhaug, who is cautious about commenting on the ongoing case.