The royal family's latest gathering to mourn the beloved monarch was overshadowed by the King's stepson's presence. Marius Borg Hoiby, the stepson of Norway's monarch, carried the coffin of the late King Harald V after being released from house arrest, reigniting fierce criticism. As Norway mourns the loss, the country's new Queen Mette-Marit faced renewed scrutiny over past ties to Jeffrey Epstein amid her son's guilty rape verdict. Hoiby surprisingly joined members of the royal family to carry his step-grandfather's coffin from the Royal Palace to the palace chapel on Monday.

The 29-year-old was one of eight pallbearers, alongside the new King Haakon, his children Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus, as well as Princess Martha Louise and her daughters. The Queen also joined the procession in what marked her first official appearance since her husband ascended the throne. Hoiby is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at the Skaugum Estate while appealing his conviction on two counts of rape.

King Haakon was sworn in on Tuesday, though Queen Mette-Marit was absent from the ceremony due to health complications following a lung transplant in June. The inclusion of Hoiby in such a prominent role during the state funeral events has drawn widespread public outrage across Norway. Critics argue that allowing a convicted felon facing severe charges to participate in high-profile royal traditions undermines the dignity of the institution.

Palace officials have declined to comment extensively on the controversy, maintaining that the focus remains on honoring the late monarch's legacy. Meanwhile, investigative journalists continue to probe the timing of his release and whether special privileges were granted by authorities. As public pressure mounts, political analysts suggest the royal household may need to issue a formal clarification to address the growing discontent.