Norway’s royal family is going through a period of rebuilding. The last two years have been a rough ride for the Glücksburg dynasty, marked by King Harald V and Queen Sonja‘s health problems and the fallout Crown Princess Mette-Marit has faced over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Then there’s the legal case against her son, Marius Borg Hoiby, resulting in a four-year prison sentence as of this writing.
Now an unexpected story is putting the spotlight back on the family. Anyone curious about how the crown prince and princess are navigating this new chapter, or who’d like to become their actual neighbor, now has the chance. Some of the properties tied to Skaugum, the estate where Crown Prince Haakon and Mette-Marit live, have just hit the rental market.
Meet the Neighbors: Haakon and Mette-Marit’s New Tenants
The crown prince and princess have lived at Skaugum Palace for more than two decades. They moved in right after their wedding, settling into the property to build their life together. It’s part of a tradition that goes back three generations, to 1929, with each future king of Norway making Skaugum his official residence.
The estate is made up of several buildings, anchored by the main house that serves as Haakon and Mette-Marit’s official home. But the grounds also hold other houses that Prince Haakon rents out through his own sole proprietorship, a side business that’s grown over the years into a real estate venture with its fair share of controversy.
© piemags/archive/FPPNow, listings for two of those homes have popped up, giving people the chance to become the future king and queen of Norway’s neighbors. One is a 42-square-meter apartment renting for around $1,190 a month. It’s a small unit on the estate grounds with its own entrance, made up of a living room, kitchen, bedroom with closet, bathroom, and hallway. It’s got everything you need, though it’s smaller than the second option, which comes with a higher price tag.
The second home, located near Haakon and Mette-Marit’s official residence, spans 287 square meters and rents for about $3,990 a month.
The listing, posted on a well-known Norwegian real estate site, describes the larger home as a “magnificent standalone house with beautiful views, its own storage space, and a large lot.” According to the listing, the main floor includes a hallway with sliding closet doors, an entryway, a utility room, a laundry room, a living room with a wood stove, a TV room, and several bedrooms. The second floor has an attic room, four bedrooms, a bathroom, a half bath, and storage space.
It’s a real opportunity for anyone who wants to live close to royalty while enjoying all the comforts of a fully equipped home, with some pretty exceptional neighbors.
© Getty ImagesThe Controversy Behind the Rentals
Renting these homes isn’t without its complications. Financial reports have revealed that the rental income helps cover maintenance costs at Skaugum, keeping those expenses off the public budget. But becoming a neighbor to the crown prince and princess comes with strings attached: tenants take on extensive maintenance responsibilities.
The leases put a lot of upkeep on tenants’ shoulders, everything from painting and flooring to doors, locks, and windows, plus faucets, outlets, wiring, drains, and even certain yard and roof care. Reports suggest this goes well beyond what’s typical for this kind of rental agreement. It’s one more detail putting the spotlight on the crown prince and princess, who are on the hunt for new neighbors as of today.
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