The son of Norway’s Crown Princess has been convicted of serious offenses, including two counts of rape. Marius Borg Høiby, who is 29 years old, was sentenced to four years in prison by an Oslo court. His conviction includes rapes that occurred in 2018 at Skaugum, a royal estate near Oslo, and in 2024 in Oslo.
Høiby also faced charges for other crimes, such as assaulting his former girlfriend, Norwegian influencer Nora Haukland. Out of 40 charges, he was found guilty of 34, including abuse in close relationships. The trial did end in some acquittals, including two rape charges related to incidents in a Norwegian hotel and the Lofoten islands.
Though Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most serious charges, he admitted to some minor offenses. His defense team has stated that an appeal against the verdict is forthcoming.
Who Is Marius Borg Høiby?
Marius Borg Høiby is linked to the monarchy but does not hold a royal position. When Mette-Marit married Crown Prince Haakon, Høiby was a child, and Haakon has referred to him as vital to the family. While Høiby is Mette-Marit’s oldest son, the couple also has two other children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. Once a beloved figure, his public image has shifted over time, as historian Ole-Jørgen Schulerud-Hansen noted.
The crown princess, Mette-Marit, recently faced public attention due to links with Jeffrey Epstein, although there are no accusations against her. Her health issues, including chronic lung disease leading to her being placed on a lung transplant list, have also been a concern, causing the royal family to reduce public appearances. Courts have decided Høiby will remain in custody without visits to his mother.
Public support for the royal family dropped to 60 percent through the duration of Høiby’s trial, with a modest increase later. The royal court has refrained from commenting on the trial’s conclusion.
Prosecutor Sturla Henriksboe termed Høiby’s conviction as a significant moment for justice. He emphasized that serious crimes cannot be excused by wealth or connections.