Royal sweetheart tackles media spotlight

Crown Prince Haakon and his girlfriend Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, shown here leaving a nightclub in Kristiansand last month, have been the subject of much unwanted public attention lately. PHOTO: SCANPIX

Norway's Royal Palace has decided to help teach Crown Prince Haakon's new girlfriend how to tackle the media. Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby has had to fend off much media attention since her relationship with the heir to the throne became known.

The crown prince confirmed his romantic involvement with the 26-year-old Høiby in May and also confirmed that Høiby earlier was active on the so-called House Party scene in Norway. The father of Høiby's three-year-old son has been charged with drug possession, although Høiby herself has no criminal record.

Debate has nonetheless raged over the relationship, since Høiby could emerge as Norway's next queen. The crown prince has insisted he will marry for love and even has indicated he would abdicate if his choice of a spouse was not approved by his father, King Harald.

Newspaper VG reported this week that Høiby, who has taken part in royal family parties, now will get professional advice arranged through the palace on how to deal with reporters and photographers.

It earlier was rumored that both Haakon and Høiby would move together to Barcelona this autumn to flee the media barrage and let their relationship mature. Haakon later decided to stay in Norway and undergo an intense diplomatic training course offered by the Foreign Ministry.

Høiby has spent this summer working in a clothing store in her hometown of Kristiansand on Norway's southern coast.

(Aftenposten Interactive)