Norway’s Crown Princess’ Son Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Rape and Related Crimes

A Norwegian court has sentenced Marius Borg Høiby, the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit, to four years in prison after finding him guilty of rape and multiple other offenses, according to the Oslo District Court.

Høiby, 29, is the eldest child of the crown princess from a previous relationship and the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, heir to the Norwegian throne. He does not hold any royal title and has no official duties within the royal family.

The case involved a wide-ranging indictment covering several criminal allegations. Prosecutors initially presented 38 counts, and the trial included accusations of rape, domestic abuse against former partners, violence, drug-related offenses, death threats, and traffic violations.

In February, Høiby pleaded not guilty to rape charges during proceedings in which prosecutor Sturla Henriksbø outlined the case in court. However, he admitted to some lesser offenses, including certain driving violations, an aggravated drug-related offense, and breaching a restraining order, while only partially acknowledging some assault and threat-related allegations.

The investigation dates back to 2024, when he was first identified as a suspect following an alleged assault involving a former girlfriend. He was briefly arrested and later released, but the case expanded significantly as additional women came forward with accusations.

The formal indictment submitted by prosecutors last year focused on four alleged rapes between 2018 and November 2024, along with claims of repeated violence and threats against a former partner between mid-2022 and late 2023, as well as further alleged assaults and restraining order violations involving another relationship.

The court’s ruling brings a conclusion to one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving a member of Norway’s extended royal family in recent years.