Royal makes first appearance since son charged with rape

Crown Princess Mette-Marit made her first public appearance since the indictment against her son, Marius Borg Høiby, as she celebrated 100 years of the royal residence - Gamlehaugen Castle in Bergen on August 26. The Norwegian royal, 52, attended celebrations alongside her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, as well as her in-laws, King Harald and Queen Sonja.

The celebrations took place just a week after it was confirmed that Marius, 28, had been charged with 32 offences, including four counts of rape. Although he denies the most serious accusations against him, he plans to plead guilty to some lesser charges in court when the trial starts, his lawyer Petar Sekulic told Reuters. Marius does not have a royal title and is outside the line of royal succession.

Marius is the Princess' first child from a previous relationship, making him the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, as well as the elder half-brother of future Queen, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 21, and Prince Sverre Magnus. The Norwegian royal court said last week of the charges: "It is for the courts to consider this matter and reach a decision. We have no further comment."

Yesterday, the Norwegian royal family was seen having fun at Gamlehaugen Castle in Bergen, celebrating 100 years of the royal residence. The future king invited young students to play together and enjoy the castle grounds.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, August 26, the Norwegian Royal Family shared a video. It was captioned: "Gamlehaugen in Bergen - royal residence for 100 years."

They continued: "The crown prince invited school pupils to play and fun in the park around Gamlehaugen in connection with marking the anniversary. The queen was also present and got to try herself as a face painter."

In the video, Mette-Marit was seen wearing a tie-dye shirt with bright colours and Crown Prince Haakon wore a navy blue suit.

Gamlehaugen was first listed as a private residence for Prime Minister Christian Michelsen in 1900, and later became the King's residence in Bergen.

Gamlehaugen was designed in 1899 by the architect Jens Zetlitz Monrad Kielland, who was educated in Germany and influenced by late medieval architecture.

The building combined the qualities of a fortress and a castle, evoking associations with buildings from two very different regions: the many 16th century castles found in the Loire Valley in France, and the high-towered royal fortresses of Scotland.

The royal residence is surrounded by beautiful parkland, which is open to the public all year round.