Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby was born in Kristiansand in the southern part of Norway , the daughter of Sven O. Høiby , who worked as a journalist for a local paper , and Marit Tjessem . Her parents divorced , and her father would later marry Renate Barsgård . She has a sister and two older brothers , including Per Høiby , chief executive of the PR agency First House . Her stepbrother , Trond Berntsen by her mother 's 1994 marriage to Rolf Berntsen died in the 2011 Norway attacks . Mette-Marit grew up in Kristiansand , spending many weekends and holidays in the nearby valley of Setesdal and on the coast , where she learned to sail . During her youth , she was active in the local '' Slettheia '' youth club , where she was also an activity leader . As a teenager , she played volleyball , qualifying as a referee and coach
2011 Norway attacks
2011 Norway attacks
Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway