Crown Princess’s Son Sentenced to Four Years in Prison After Rape Convictions
Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted on two counts of rape and multiple other offences.
A court in Oslo delivered the judgment on Monday, finding the 29-year-old guilty on two of four rape charges brought against him. He was acquitted of the remaining two rape counts.
In addition to the rape convictions, Høiby was found guilty of assault and abuse in close relationships. The court also ordered him to pay compensation to victims.
The case centred on allegations that Høiby sexually assaulted four women between 2018 and 2024 while they were asleep or otherwise unable to resist. Prosecutors filed a total of 40 charges, including assault, drug-related offences and breaches of a restraining order.
While Høiby denied the rape allegations, he admitted responsibility for several lesser offences during proceedings.
Prosecutors had requested a prison term of seven years and seven months, while the defence argued for acquittal on the rape charges and sought a sentence of no more than 18 months for offences already admitted.
The ruling is not final and may be appealed. Defence lawyer Ellen Holager Andenaes said an appeal is being considered, particularly over the serious charges her client contested.
Lead prosecutor Sturla Henriksbo described the judgment as “a victory for our justice system,” saying it demonstrated that no individual is above the law regardless of status or family ties.
Høiby did not attend court in person due to health reasons and followed the proceedings via video link from prison.
The trial lasted six weeks and concluded in March after testimony from several accusers and the presentation of evidence, including messages, images and videos recovered from Høiby’s mobile phone.
The case attracted significant international attention because of Høiby’s connection to Norway’s royal family. Although raised by Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby does not hold an official royal title or public role.
The proceedings also unfolded amid public attention on Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s health challenges and renewed scrutiny of the royal family.
